§ 14. Mrs. Castleasked the Minister of Transport whether he will now make a statement about the modification of driving licence regulations for pedestrian-operated milk floats.
§ Mr. MarplesYes, Sir. I have come to the conclusion that the requirements of the Road Traffic Acts applying to pedestrian-controlled mechanically-pro- 1314 pelled milk floats are not justified by the needs of road safety. I therefore propose to lay before the House regulations made under Section 254 of the 1960 Act to provide that these vehicles shall no longer be treated as motor vehicles. One effect of this will be that their drivers will no longer need a driving licence.
I shall watch the situation closely, and if road safety should suffer I will not hesitate to reimpose the appropriate control.
Before I lay regulations, I am obliged to consult interested organisations on my proposals. Letters seeking their comments are going out today.
§ Mrs. CastleI very warmly thank the right hon. Gentleman for that reply, and for his co-operation in this matter. Is he aware, however, that it is now more than four months since I first raised the subject; and that, in the meantime, my constituent, Mr. David Crane, has been suspended from his job of pulling a milk float? Will the Minister therefore tell us when he will introduce the regulations? Will he live up to his claim to be a lightning conductor, put a real spurt on, and introduce these regulations before Christmas, as otherwise my unfortunate constituent will drag on in his dilemma indefinitely?
§ Mr. MarplesFor the hon. Lady, I will speed as fast as I can.