§ 25. Vice-Admiral Hughes Hallettasked the Minister of Transport what results have so far been achieved with the National Cycling Proficiency Scheme; and what plans he has for further extension of the scheme.
§ Mr. HayThis scheme is making satisfactory progress. During 1959, the first full year of the scheme, 130,000 children were trained and tested, of whom just over 100,000 obtained their proficiency certificate. Steady expansion continues towards the target of 300,000 children trained and tested each year.
We owe the increasing success of this enterprise very largely to the efforts of many people who freely give their services to it. I am glad to have this opportunity to acknowledge the valuable work they are doing.
§ Vice-Admiral Hughes HallettIs my hon. Friend aware that this encouraging report will give universal satisfaction and will certainly mean that we owe a debt of gratitude to the people Who have worked so hard to make the scheme a success? Can he assure the House that no effort will be spared to publicise and expand the scheme? Can he also say whether it has yet had any impact on the accident figures for young cyclists?
§ Mr. HayWe are well aware of the value and importance of this scheme. It is one of the most promising of all the schemes we have which can contribute anything to road safety. We shall do what we can to expand it as required and give publicity to it. I cannot answer the question about the relationship of the scheme to the accident rate without notice.