§ 54. Mr. Dribergasked the Minister of Transport if he is aware that three persons were killed and others injured in a recent road accident in which a United States airman was one of the drivers involved, and that at the subsequent court-martial, particulars of which have been forwarded to him, this airman stated that he had not been given a copy of the Highway Code, nor told of the British speed limit on heavy lorries; and, in view of the assurance given in the House of Commons by the Parliamentary Secretary on 5th May last, that instruction in the Highway Code is given to United States service drivers, if he will state what steps are now being taken to implement this assurance.
Mr. BraithwaiteI am informed by the United States authorities that the training of American drivers, including instruction in the Highway Code, to which I referred in my answer on 5th May, is still being carried out. The United States authorities have today communicated to us the results of their investigations into this matter. The authorities take the view that the allegations made at the court-martial to which the hon. Member refers should not be accepted as a reflection of their policy. Investigation has, however, shown that just before the date of the accident in question there were certain deficiencies in the arrangements for training drivers in the United States Squadron concerned. I am informed that the Squadron Commander and the Squadron Training Officer have been replaced and that any previous deficiencies have been completely corrected. No such deficiencies have been detected at any other United States base in this country.