asked the Minister of Transport whether his attention had been drawn to a statement at a Leytonstone inquest on 1st June that the deceased had been driving a van for 17 hours, and the comment of the coroner that long hours might be a contributory cause of the suicide; whether, in view of the danger of drivers working excessive hours, he will make inquiries into this case; and what action he is taking to see that the law respecting hours of work for van-drivers is being observed?

Alleged breaches of the law as to drivers' hours are matters primarily for the area traffic licensing authorities and the police, and are not required to be reported to me in the ordinary course. I have, however, caused inquiry to be made in regard to the case to which the hon. Member refers and I understand that the licensing authority concerned is having the facts investigated. The number of examiners, whose duty it is to examine records with a view to securing observance of the law, was considerably increased last year.

Does not the Minister agree that infringements of the law are a contributing factor to the loss of life on the roads in this country?

That is undoubtedly true.

Will not the Minister do something in this matter?

I have told the hon. Member that the area licensing authority are the first to move in this matter, and that they are investigating the facts.

Will the Minister make representations to his right hon. Friend the Home Secretary and suggest that the police might be more suitably employed in looking after these offences than in cruising about the roads dealing with private cars?

I cannot agree with the hon. Member; I think the mobile police patrols do work of the greatest value.