Provisional Licences (Form D.L.2C)

HC Deb 17 July 1963 vol 681 cc521-2

55. Sir B. Janner

asked the Minister of Transport if he is satisfied that the restrictions on Form D.L.2C on drivers between the ages of 17 and 21 years who hold provisional licences are printed sufficiently clearly to be read and understood; and if he will improve the wording and size of print on this form.

Mr. Galbraith

The print on this form is certainly on the small side, but I do not think that the conditions are particularly difficult to read. They are applicable to particular types of vehicles such as road rollers and agricultural tractors, and are drawn to the licence holder's attention by headings in much larger print. The majority of licence holders will not be concerned with them at all. As to the second part of the Question, the wording follows the Regu- lations which came into force on 1st July and were foreshadowed in debates on the Road Traffic Bill last year. The form will be incorporated in future stocks of licence books, and the print will be an improvement on the present temporary forms.

Sir B. Janner

Is the Parliamentary Secretary really talking seriously? Has he seen the document he talks of, which no one can read without a magnifying glass? Is heprepared to furnish a magnifying glass, or some other device, to assist the individual to read the document? Is it really beyond the ingenuity of his Department to paraphrase the thing so that those reading it can have it in a succinct form, without all this verbiage? Is he really prepared to hand this form to people and expect them to observe its directions?

Mr. Galbraith

I understand the hon. Gentleman's difficulties, but I myself can read this print without any great difficulty. The point really is that these restrictions apply only to a few people. The headings are perfectly clear; people can see the headings and, if necessary, can then acquire a magnifying glass and read the print.

Sir B. Janner

In view of the inadequate nature of the reply, to put it mildly, I beg to give notice that I will raise the question on the Adjournment at the first opportunity.