§ 64. Mr. G. Williamsasked the Minister of Transport if he will introduce legislation to limit the number of learner licences which can be taken out successively by the same person.
§ Mr. MaclayNo, Sir. Such a restriction would be of doubtful advantage and would involve serious administrative difficulties.
§ Mr. WilliamsIs the Minister aware that anyone can continue to take out a licence at three-monthly intervals, and that motorcyclisits do not even have to have anybody with them? That is driving to the danger of the public, and something ought to be done about it.
§ Mr. MaclayI realise that there is substance in what my hon. Friend says, but I assure him that the administrative difficulties and the problems which would arise from adopting the suggestion are very great indeed.
§ Mr. Eric FletcherWhy is there any administrative difficulty in saying, for example, that, after having two or three 1172 learner licences, a person who has failed to pass the test should not have any more learner licences?
§ Mr. MaclayThat is not quite the way the Question is put. Problems would arise if we decided that another learner licence was to be refused when the person applied again at the end of the three months, not having passed the test, for he might have been ill or been abroad in the meantime. Many other difficulties would arise out of the suggestion.