HC Deb 01 March 1933 vol 275 c359
22. Mr. ROSS TAYLOR

asked the Minister of Transport if, in view of the number of accidents on the roads, some of which are due to physical disability and, in particular, defective vision on the part of drivers, he will institute a system for testing the declarations in regard to physical fitness made by applicants for motor-driving licences?

Mr. STANLEY

Under the Road Traffic Act, 1930, every applicant for a licence to drive a motor vehicle is required to make a declaration in a prescribed form as to his physical fitness, including eyesight. Any person who knowingly makes a false statement is liable to severe penalties under the Act. I have no evidence to show that false declarations are frequent, and, in any case, I think it would be well to gain some rather longer experience of the operation of the provisions of the Act before coming to any conclusion as to the need for imposing further requirements in regard to physical fitness.