HC Deb 04 May 1955 vol 540 cc1677-8
28. Lieut.-Colonel Lipton

asked the Postmaster-General what steps he takes to ensure that drivers of Post Office vehicles hold a valid driving licence.

Dr. Hill

Drivers of Post Office vehicles are required to be in possession of a current driving licence. The hon. and gallant Member may have in mind a recent case in which a driver was involved in an accident while in possession of an out-of-date licence. In this instance, there was a failure to carry out instructions.

Lieut.-Colonel Lipton

Is there not here serious evidence of gross inefficiency in the Department for which the right hon. Gentleman is responsible, and did not this lead to the Postmaster-General himself being, very properly, fined 40s. by the magistrate at Clerkenwell for his failure to see that the law was being carried out?

Dr. Hill

This was a case in which a driver forgot to renew his driving licence. He was duly punished by being summoned in the courts. I think that no more need be said.

Mr. W. R. Williams

Although the Postmaster-General has not been very long in his Department, may I ask if he has been there long enough to agree that, judging by the number of safety awards granted to Post Office drivers, the standard of driving in the service is very high indeed, and that this must be a very exceptional case?

Dr. Hill

I entirely agree.