HC Deb 07 March 1973 vol 852 cc396-8
18. Mr. Ewing

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will review the position whereby drivers who, because of a medical condition, have to renew their driving licence annually are required to pay £1 for their annual licence as opposed to the normal procedure of paying £1 for a licence covering a three-year period.

Mr. Peyton

Under my proposals for replacing the existing three-year licence by one valid to the age of 70, drivers will pay a "once-for-all" fee to cover all future full licences. Drivers with limited-period licences would then pay no more than other people.

Mr. Ewing

I am sure that many disabled and medically sick drivers to whom I refer in the Question will be grateful to hear the Minister's reply. Having been taken by surprise by his answer, all that I can say to the right hon. Gentleman is that I am grateful for it.

Mr. Peyton

I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman, whom I am delighted to take by surprise.

Mr. Scott-Hopkins

Does not my right hon. Friend think that all drivers over 60 should take a medical test?

Mr. Peyton

I know one or two under the age of 60 for whom a medical test would be just as appropriate.

19. Mr. Leslie Huckfield

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has received to date from the Association of Optical Practitioners about eyesight testing and the introduction of driving licences for life; and what reply he has sent.

Mr. Peyton

The association suggested higher eyesight standards and periodical tests. Neither would be likely to increase road safety.

Mr. Huckfield

is the right hon. Gentleman not going to take notice of the increasing evidence provided by the British School of Motoring and organisations such as the Association of Optical Practitioners that many people who are driving cannot see properly? Is he not aware that the driving test number plate requirement does not constitute what an optician considers to be normal vision? Does the right hon. Gentleman propose to continue giving all these people driving licences for life? Will he institute a trial period during which anybody involved in a road accident can have his eyes fully tested by a qualified optician?

Mr. Peyton

There is nothing to stop people from doing that now. I have no sufficient evidence of a significant connection between defective eyesight and road accidents. Anybody in my position has to be careful before he imposes upon the public restrictions and requirements which are not really necessary.

Mr. Mulley

In this context, can the right hon. Gentleman give the House information about the draft proposals of the EEC? As I understand them, they would make demands for a completely different approach to driving licences in this country. Will the right hon. Gentleman say to the Community what he has just said to my hon. Friend the Member for Nuneaton (Mr. Leslie Huckfield)?

Mr. Peyton

I might very well do just that.

Mr. Kenneth Lewis

Is my right hon. Friend aware that when there is fog on the motorway, or any other road, many people who can see properly apparently do not want to see, and that if those who can see would concern themselves with what they can see during fog there would be fewer accidents?

Mr. Peyton

My hon. Friend has made a characteristically shrewd point.