§ 31. Lieut.-Colonel Cordeauxasked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation the percentage of failures among candidates taking the driving test for mopeds during the past twelve months from any convenient date; and what percentage of these failures was due solely to lack of knowledge and application of the Highway Code.
§ Mr. NugentThe information for which my hon. and gallant Friend asked is not readily available.
§ Lieut.-Colonel CordeauxWould my hon. Friend agree that his Chief Traffic Examiner is on the record in a recent report to the Committee on Road Safety as saying that these failures are largely due to lack of knowledge and application of the Highway Code? If that is true, and in view of the very low accident rate among riders of mopeds, will he consider the possibility of restricting the test for riding a moped to a theoretical one based largely on knowledge of the Highway Code?
§ Mr. NugentWe have considered doing that, but our view is that a practical test is necessary as well. Although a number failed on the theoretical side, there is quite a number who also failed on the practical side.