HC Deb 26 May 1954 vol 528 cc386-7
9. Mr. Mitchison

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation whether he will meet the needs of men, who are on short leave from the overseas forces and want to use a motor vehicle or motor cycle which they have left at home, by the issue of free licences or fortnightly licences.

Mr. Molson

My right hon. Friend has no power without fresh legislation to issue such licences free, and it is impracticable to issue them for periods as short as a fortnight. Under present arrangements it is, in fact, possible, by taking out and subsequently surrendering a quarterly or part-quarterly licence, to have a licence for a period of one calendar month.

Mr. Mitchison

Would it not be possible to extend that to fortnightly licences? This charge comes rather heavy on Army pay. It is a small concession, it would not be much trouble and it would be a good deal of help to a young Service man who has left a motor-bike at home.

Mr. Molson

It really would involve a very great deal of extra administrative work and expense, and the sum of money involved is so small that it is not worth while doing it. The monthly rates for a motor-cycle, to which the hon. and learned Member refers, vary from 1s. 8d. to 9s. 3d.

Sir R. Acland

Is it not the case, under the arrangements which the hon. Gentleman has described, that if the one month happens to be the first of a quarter one can obtain a licence for three months and surrender the last two, but that it is inoperative if the month for which one wants the vehicle licensed happens to be the second or third month of the quarter? Could not the regulations be altered to make it possible for the arrangements to apply to the second and third months?

Mr. Molson

I am under the impression that it is necessary to pay for only one month in all circumstances, but I will look into the matter.