§ Mr. A. BENNETTasked the Home Secretary whether he will consider the desirability of introducing legislation to compel all motor transport owners allowed to carry people by hire to insure them against third-party risks; what is the general custom in respect to the large road passenger-carrying companies; and whether he is aware that at the present time many passengers injured through no fault of their own are not able to recover damages because of the inability of those responsible for the accidents, and uninsured, to pay them?
§ Colonel ASHLEYI have been asked to reply to this question. The desirability of legislation on the lines indicated in the question is one of the points covered by the terms of reference to the Departmental Committee on the Regulation of Hackney Vehicles, and will be dealt with in their Report. I understand that the large road passenger carrying companies insure against third-party risks unless638W their undertakings are sufficiently extensive to justify them in bearing the risks themselves. I am not aware that many cases arise of injury to passengers, through no fault of their own, where compensation cannot be obtained, though one or two have been brought to my notice.