§ 23. Mr. Huckfieldasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what provision will be included for eyesight testing in his proposal to issue driving licences for life.
§ Mr. PeytonI do not propose any changes.
§ Mr. HuckfieldHas the right hon. Gentleman had time to study the letter that he has had from the British School of Motoring about the 1,452 people whose eyesight they tested during the Motor Show recently? Does he realise that, of those tested, 44 per cent. had some kind of defect, 19 per cent. were a definite potential hazard on the road, 20 had vision only in one eye and ten could not even see a number plate at ten yards? Is he honestly proposing to give these people driving licences for life?
§ Mr. PeytonPerhaps I should point out first that it is an offence to drive on the roads with defective eyesight. Secondly, this matter has been looked at frequently and, as far as I know, no one has yet felt justified in imposing on the motorist a rather tiresome need to go through tests which would, in their result, be unrewarding.