§ Mr. THORNEasked the Home Secretary whether he is aware of the case of a women recently charged at St. Albans city sessions for driving a motor car without reasonable consideration to other people and for failing to give her name and address after an accident; and whether, as it was her 18th conviction, he will inquire into the case and inform the House on what grounds her name was with-held, whether her previous convictions had been endorsed on her driving licence, 2974W whether her licence has now been revoked; and, if not, whether he will take action to prevent such persons continuing to hold licences.
§ Sir J. GILMOURFrom inquiries which I have made, I presume that the case to which the hon. Member refers was one heard on the 20th instant. It had not previously come to my notice. I am informed that in this case the lady's name was not withheld, but was repeatedly referred to in the course of the proceedings, and was mentioned in newspaper reports published the same day. I understand that she was not disqualified from holding a driving licence, the Justices being advised that the offences of which she was convicted did not empower them to make such an order; and there is no action which I can take in the matter. It has not been possible within the time available to ascertain whether her licence had been endorsed on a previous occasion: