HC Deb 19 April 1967 vol 745 cc585-6
39. Mr. Raphael Tuck

asked the Minister of Transport whether she will take steps, by legislation or otherwise, to stop people from driving motor vehicles while disqualified, uninsured or without a licence.

Mrs. Castle

These are serious offences for which the law already provides adequate penalties. But I am discussing with my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary ways of improving certain aspects of enforcement.

Mr. Tuck

In view of the fact that in 1965 alone there were more than 47,000 convictions for driving without a licence and more than 90,000 convictions for driving while uninsured—and the numbers have been steadily increasing over the years—would my right hon. Friend seriously consider introducing legislation to prohibit the sale of petrol from any petrol station until the driver of the vehicle has shown his or her driving licence and insurance cover?

Mrs. Castle

I think that that would be placing a rather heavy burden of enforcement on garage proprietors. I agree that we need to tighten up enforcement here. It is just that point that I am discussing with my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary, and steps are being taken.

Mr. Hogg

Is not one of the practical steps, according to the police, that could be considered to stop driving while disqualified the right of arrest for this offence when it is discovered? Is she aware that one of the troubles is that a person found by a policeman to be doing this can drive away without being stopped?

Mrs. Castle

Yes, Sir. I entirely agree with the right hon. and learned Gentleman. An Amendment along these lines was proposed in another place and we have accepted it in principle.