asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to the large number of fatal accidents to pillion-seat riders of motor cycles, and especially to the recommendation of the jury who returned a verdict of accidental death on a 17-year-old girl, at Deptford, that legislation should be formulated to prohibit pillion riding; and whether he intends to take any steps to lessen the number of such accidents?

I have been asked to answer this question. My attention has been drawn to the recommendation of the jury in the case referred to, and a representative of the Ministry of Transport was present at the inquest. From the evidence given before the coroner, it would appear that the accident was due to an error of judgment on the part of the motor cyclist. As regards the last part of the question, I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given on the 1st August to the hon. Member for East Aberdeen, of which I am sending him a copy.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the very heavy tax on the side-car makes it impossible for many of these men to afford them, and, therefore., they have to carry their friends on the pillion, and will he represent that to the Chancellor of the Exchequer?

There is no foundation for that, because they do purchase side-cars.

They carry them on the pillion as well as in the side-car, and why not?

Certainly! [HON. MEMBERS "Why not!"]