§ 37. Lieut.-Colonel Liptonasked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation how many L drivers are now being tested weekly in the London area; and how many pass the test.
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterIn the week ended 25th June, 1955, 5,158 tests were conducted in the Metropolitan Traffic Area, and 56.8 per cent. of candidates were successful. The figures in the two preceding weeks were similar.
§ Lieut.-Colonel LiptonEven assuming that all the people pass the test on the first occasion and no more applicants come forward for tests, is it not going to take a very long time to clear the backlog of applicants?
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterI do not disagree with the hon. and gallant Gentleman. I should like to see the process quickened, and it is for that reason that, with the aid 1117 of an improved starting rate, I am making considerable and successful efforts to increase the staff of examiners.
§ 38. Lieut.-Colonel Liptonasked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation whether he will take steps to abolish the driving test required of drivers of motorised bicycles with engines of less than 50 c.c.
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterNo. Sir.
§ Lieut.-Colonel LiptonIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that in almost every country in Western Europe no test and no licence is imposed on these very small machines? Would it not help the right hon. Gentleman to reduce the tremendous number awaiting tests if this particular category of motorised cyclists were exempt from the process altogether?
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterMany of the vehicles that come within the definition which the hon. and gallant Gentleman put in the Question are really in the nature of light motor cycles. Many of them are far more difficult to handle than they appear to be, and I do not think it would be consistent with road safety to allow people to drive them without a test.
§ Mr. PageHave not the figures for accidents to these motor cycles gone up phenomenally in the last few months, and is there not a case here for stiffening the test rather than for abolishing it?
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterI do not go the whole way with my hon. Friend, but there is a good deal of evidence that these bicycles require careful and skilled handling.