§ Mr. Liddallasked the Secretary of State for War how he deals with claims for proved cases of injury inflicted on civilians by Army vehicles driven by soldiers off duty, in uniform, or in disobedience to regulations, or without the sanction of superior officers?
§ Captain MargessonIt is the practice of my Department to pay compensation for injuries inflicted on civilians by the negligent driving of Army vehicles only in circumstances in which, if the Department had been a private employer, it would have been legally liable for the torts of its drivers. When the use of the vehicle is unauthorised, compensation from public funds is not therefore paid as a general rule, but special consideration is given to particular cases according to the circumstances in which the use of the vehicle was obtained.