§ 53. Sir F. Medlicottasked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation if his attention has been drawn to a recent case in which a learner driver under instruction was driving six passengers one of whom was killed; and if he will reconsider the conditions under which learner drivers are permitted to carry passengers.
§ Mr. NugentThe information available to us indicates that this accident did not take place on the public highway.
We are at present reviewing the general conditions governing the driving of motor vehicles by learners, and we shall include in this review the question of the number of passengers who may be carried.
§ Sir F. MedlicottIs my hon. Friend aware of the number of occasions on which one sees a learner-driven car filled with passengers, often children? Cannot we do more than is done at present by instruction and education to let such people know that driving a car is not just a matter of an outing, but is a desperately serious business?
§ Mr. NugentYes, we take into account the view of my hon. Friend, but I am sure the House would not wish us to be unnecessarily restrictive about deciding what passengers can be carried by learner drivers.