27. Dr. Bennettasked the President of the Board of Trade what consideration he has given, in the study which he is making of proposals for legislation on the subject of licensing drivers of pleasure motor boats at sea, to the French Government's decree 66–155 of 15th March, 1966, a copy of which has been sent to him; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. JayI shall, of course, study the effects of the action taken by the French Government. I am, however, impressed by the voluntary efforts of national organisations, private clubs and training schools in this country to improve the standard of seamanship and I do not think that the compulsory licensing of drivers of pleasure motor vessels would be justified.
Dr. BennettThose remarks will be greeted with a great deal of relief, but has the right hon. Gentleman any views, so far, on the relative advisability of licensing the drivers or licensing the hulls, so that "tip-and-run" or "hit-and-run" boats could at least be identified by their sinking victims?
§ Mr. JayI am open-minded on that question at present, but I think that in this case we should give a chance to the voluntary organisations before we resort to compulsion.