§ 20. Mr. van Straubenzeeasked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that the driving test appointment card sent by the South Eastern Traffic Area Office on 15th January to Mrs. W. Griffiths, of 2 Park Farm Cottages, Haines Hill, Twyford, was never delivered; and, as there is no discretion to refund the driving test fee in such circumstances, if he will give instructions that in future all appointment cards be sent by recorded delivery.
§ Vice-Admiral Hughes HallettI have no reason to doubt Mrs. Griffiths' claim that she did not receive the driving test appointment card sent to her, and I much regret the inconvenience caused her. I cannot, however, agree that the additional work and cost of sending some 2 million cards a year by recorded delivery is justified by an isolated incident of this kind.
§ Mr. van StraubenzeeDoes not my hon. and gallant Friend realise that it is not only a question of the inconvenience? It is also a question of expense, in that this lady will now have to pay a second fee. Is this not understandably liable to create resentment in the mind of an applicant? Would not the difficulty be overcome by the suggestion that I make?
§ Vice-Admiral Hughes HallettThe suggestion which my hon. Friend makes would cost about £50,000 a year, not including the extra staff costs. Although hard cases may make bad law, I do not think that we should be justified in making so sweeping a change to meet the very rare contingency of a letter going astray.