HC Deb 22 February 1927 vol 202 c1566
35. Colonel DAY

asked the Minister of Transport, if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the ink used for inscribing motor taxation licences is liable to fade upon exposure; that a conviction has been obtained against a motorist for using a car the excise licence of which was not legible, due to the above fact; and will he stipulate that licence-issuing authorities shall be obliged to use fadeless ink for the purpose in question?

The MINISTER of TRANSPORT (Colonel W. Ashley)

With the assistance of His Majesty's Stationery Office, various makes of ink have been tested from time to time, and the results communicated to licensing authorities, with a view to ensuring that the entries on licences should not fade upon prolonged exposure to sunlight. I am satisfied that the authorities are fully alive to the importance of the question. I may add that the Regulations specially provide that where the licensing authority is satisfied that the entries on the licence, or the colour of the licence, have faded owing to causes not due to any neglect of the licensee, a duplicate licence may be issued free of charge.