§ Baroness Oppenheim-Barnes asked Her Majesty's Government:
§ In how many vehicle accidents in the last three years have one or more parties been found not to be properly insured.
Earl HoweMy Lords, figures for the number of convictions in England and Wales for using a motor vehicle uninsured against third party risk are as follows:
Figures for 1990 are not yet available.
Number 1987 200,309 1988 208,568 1989 210,551
§ Baroness Oppenheim-BarnesMy Lords, I thank my noble friend for that reply. However, does he agree that the number of defaulting motorists is unacceptably high? Is he aware that in France—and possibly many other countries—motorists have to display in their car windscreens a small uniform coupon which is detached from the insurance certificate. That facilitates enforcement and makes for greater compliance. Police time is not wasted by people having to show an insurance certificate at a police station and nothing is added to bureaucracy or administrative costs. Does the Minister agree that that would be good for this country, too?
Earl HoweMy Lords, I share my noble friend's disquiet at the figures I have quoted. In order to make my Answer completely clear I should point out that it is not possible to provide statistics in the precise form that she has requested. I turn now to her second point. A scheme of the kind outlined by my noble friend has an element of attractiveness in terms of compliance. However, there are also disadvantages. Motor insurance in the UK relates more to the driver than the vehicle. Insurance policies often cover a person to drive more than one vehicle, or vehicles owned by other persons subject to the owner's permission. Insurers would therefore have to issue several windscreen discs per policy holder, or one disc which could be transferred from vehicle to vehicle. In either case, the effectiveness of a disc for enforcement purposes would be seriously weakened.
§ Lord SwinfenMy Lords, my noble friend will be well aware that it is quite possible to relicense a vehicle with only a short time left to run on the insurance. Will Her Majesty's Government give consideration to making certain that the time for the insurance to run should be for the whole time of the licensing of that vehicle?
Earl HoweMy Lords, my noble friend makes a very interesting suggestion, which I shall happily pass on to my right honourable friend.
§ Lord Clinton-DavisMy Lords, in view of the quite extraordinary statistics revealed by the Minister which 1509 indicate a very serious state of affairs, does the Minister feel that it is appropriate to undertake a full investigation into all possible ways of reducing the incidence of this crime—and it is a crime? Does he agree that, quite apart from the valuable suggestion put forward by the noble Baroness, Lady Oppenheim-Barnes, all methods should be investigated? I ask that having particular regard to the fact that at present, as I understand it, the Motor Insurers' Bureau compensates only for injuries sustained and not for damage to property. That can be very serious for the victims in such circumstances. Will the Minister undertake to have these matters investigated thoroughly?
Earl HoweMy Lords, what the Government can do, and have done, is to create a framework of legislation which makes it less tempting to dodge the requirement for insurance while at the same time seeing to it that as far as possible there are no innocent victims of road accidents involving uninsured drivers. The first aim is achieved through stiffer penalties, and the second through the Motor Insurers' Bureau, to which the noble Lord, Lord Clinton-Davis, referred. It is not true to say that the Motor Insurers' Bureau will not compensate for damage to property. The victims of uninsured drivers who are denied access to compensation can claim compensation from the MIB, which will compensate the victim for injury in full and damage to property other than the first £175 of the claim, provided that the other party was negligent.
§ Lord Clinton-DavisMy Lords, I am obliged to the noble Earl for being so frank in the first part of his answer. However, the framework undertaken by the Government has hardly been successful in the light of the evidence which he has himself adduced. Therefore, will he look again at this matter without delay?
Earl HoweMy Lords, the easiest way to answer the noble Lord is to say that the Road Traffic Bill, which has just completed its passage through your Lordships' House, considerably increases the penalties that are applicable to this type of offence. It remains to be seen how that will work out.