§ Major Milnerasked the Home Secretary whether he is aware of the many hard cases resulting from fatalities prim- 417W arily due to the black-out; and whether he is prepared to formulate proposals for financial compensation or palliation in such cases either by Government grant or by Government initiation and assistance to a scheme of insurance against such risks?
§ Sir J. AndersonThe Government are seriously concerned at the increase in the number of fatal road accidents during the hours of darkness, and my right hon. Friend the Minister of Transport and I are anxious that every practicable step shall be taken to reduce the number of such accidents. I do not consider, however, that deaths due to road accidents at night could properly be regarded as a matter for compensation by the Government. In many such cases where motor vehicles are involved the scheme of compulsory insurance against third-party claims will be available.