§ 81. Sir Smedley Crookeasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Transport whether his attention has been 1998 drawn to the action of the police in country districts, who stop drivers of motor vehicles carrying trade plates because they were giving lifts to members of His Majesty's Forces, threatening prosecution for breaking the regulations; and whether, in view of the fact that His Majesty's Government have urged motorists to help serving men in this way, he will revise the regulations in order that such helpful action shall be within the law?
§ The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Transport (Colonel Llewellin)Limited trade plates are granted only for special trade purposes, and as the duty payable upon them is very much lower than that payable on a fully licensed vehicle it is necessary to safeguard the revenue against abuse. I am, however, considering some amendment of the regulations so as to enable casual lifts to be given to members of His Majesty's Forces in uniform in vehicles being properly used under limited trade plates.