§ 47. Sir JOHN PYBUSasked the Minister of Transport what proportion of those who have voluntarily submitted themselves to the new driving test have been successful?
§ Mr. HORE-BELISHADuring the fortnight ended on Saturday, 30th March, 5,003 candidates were examined. Of these, 4,655 were successful and 348 failed. May I take this opportunity of calling attention to the fact that the whole organisation is now complete, and that it will shortly be my duty to appoint a date after which no person who was not licensed as a driver before 1st April, 1934, will be able to obtain a new or a renewal licence without passing a test. It will therefore avoid any subsequent inconvenience and delay if all those who are liable to the test will voluntarily present themselves. They may obtain forms of application from the office of any county council or county borough.
§ Captain STRICKLANDIs the hon. Gentleman aware of the fact that cases are arising now in which the tester has refused to divulge to unsuccessful applicants the cause of their failure?
§ Mr. WHITESIDEWhat is the position of a driver who has held a licence for years and who voluntarily submits to a test and fails to pass? Will he be allowed to drive a car?
48. Lieut.-Colonel SANDEMAN ALLENasked the Minister of Transport whether in view of the desirability that an applicant for a motor driving licence, on failing to pass a test of competence to drive required by regulations, should be informed by the examiner of the points specified in the regulations on which be has failed to satisfy the examiner, instructions will now be given to the examiners that they should not refuse to give such information when a request for it is made by the person who has failed to pass the test?
§ Mr. HORE-BELISHAI do not think that it would be desirable for me to instruct examiners to discuss their decisions with candidates, particularly in 509 view of the fact that every candidate has the right of appeal to a court of summary jurisdiction
Lieut.-Colonel SANDEMAN ALLENWithout discussing it with the candidate, cannot the candidate be instructed as to the cause of his failure to pass the test?
§ Sir W. BRASSWhat objection is there to telling the prospective driver wherein he has failed?
§ Captain STRICKLANDHas the hon. Gentleman considered the impossibility of the applicant renewing his application unless he knows from what cause he has failed?
§ Mr. HORE-BELISHAThere is no objection whatever to an examiner telling a candidate why he failed. The question is whether I should issue formal instructions to that effect. I think the House will appreciate the distinction
Lieut.-Colonel SANDEMAN; ALLENWill the hon. Gentleman not consider the issue of formal instructions?
§ Sir W. BRASSIf the hon. Gentleman sees any objection to this procedure, will he give instructions the other way round?
§ Sir JOSEPH LAMBWill the hon. Gentleman make it plain that this charge is being made for examination and not for instruction.?
§ Captain HAROLD BALFOURWill the hon. Gentleman go so far as to issue instructions to his inspectors to tell candidates who have failed whether they have failed in the theoretical test as to knowledge of the Highway Code, or in the practical test of driving?
§ Mr. HORE-BELISHAI will, with pleasure, consider any representations made to me as a result of the experience which has been gained. I have not had a single complaint of the manner in which any of these tests have been conducted, and I do not want to over-burden the examiners with formal instructions