§ 22. Mr. LOUIS SMITHasked the Minister of Transport whether, in view of the fact that the number of accidents has not substantially decreased since the passage of the Road Traffic Act of 1930, he will now consider the desirability of introducing at an early date legislation requiring all motor drivers to submit to a driving test?
§ Mr. PYBUSThe question whether applicants for motor-driving licences should be subjected to a driving test was discussed at considerable length when the Road Traffic Act, 1930, was before Parliament, and I do not see sufficient justification for introducing amending legislation on the point at the present time.
§ Mr. SMITHHaving regard to the growing number of accidents, will the Minister cause an inquiry to be made as to the percentage of these accidents attributable to novice drivers?
§ Mr. PYBUSIt is not a question of qualification for a driving licence which has been so much before the public. We have gone carefully into this point, but 1770 I am not convinced that any substantial proportion of the accidents in this country is due to deficiencies on the part of drivers which would be revealed by driving tests.
§ Sir A. M. SAMUELIs not that a further reason for having an inquiry into every accident to find out the cause?