§ 32. Mr. Dempseyasked the Minister of Transport if he will take steps to ensure that holders of driving licences should, for the purpose of convenient identification, have a personal photograph attached to the licence; and if he will make a statement.
§ Vice-Admiral Hughes HallettNo, Sir. We consider that the present requirement for every licence holder to sign his licence in ink is adequate.
§ Mr. DempseyIs the Parliamentary Secretary aware that recently a person was concerned in the production of a licence bearing a name similar to his own and that within a matter of a few hours he was involved in a serious accident which caused serious injury and that subsequent police inquiries revealed that the person named had no such licence? Does he not appreciate that if there had been a photograph on the licence identifying the real holder, the accident could have been avoided and that similar subsequent 1308 occurrences could also be avoided? Is it not worth while having another look at this matter, especially when the practice is working well in other parts of the world?
§ Vice-Admiral Hughes HallettWithout studying the facts, I am not sure that I agree with the hon. Member that the photograph would have made very much difference. It is the view of my right hon. Friend and the Home Secretary that no greater safeguards need be provided than under the present requirements. Clearly, applicants would be put to much greater inconvenience.