HC Deb 20 April 1983 vol 41 cc269-70
1. Mr. Michael McNair-Wilson

asked the Secretary of State for Transport whether he is satisfied with the workings of the Transport Act 1981 as it affects motor cycle training for learner riders.

The Under-Secretary of State for Transport (Mrs. Lynda Chalker)

It is too soon to make a fully considered assessment. I want to see more riders taking training than has been the case so far, but I am encouraged that the pass rate of those who take the part 1 test with an approved training organisation after a course of training is more than double that of those who take the test with the Department, and therefore without training in most cases.

Mr. McNair-Wilson

Does my hon. Friend think that the 1981 Act gives sufficient encouragement to 16-year-old moped riders? Can she see any reason why they should not be able to take part 1 of the test and perhaps then be allowed to ride 125cc motor bikes with L-plates until the age of 17, when they can take the test?

Mrs. Chalker

My hon. Friend's question is extremely interesting. I have been aware for some time of concern about the 16-year-old moped rider. That is why I am taking a fresh look at the whole issue, and I hope to be able to tell the House something about it shortly.

Mr. Booth

Does the Minister appreciate that most motor cyclists consider it grossly inequitable that they should be debarred from riding for a year if they are unable to take or pass two tests within a two-year period, whereas a motorist who has not even attempted the test in that period should be able to go on driving on a provisional licence? Will she reconsider that and possibly lay amending regulations at least to cover the position of motor cyclists who are unable to take the test because there is not a test available to them?

Mrs. Chalker

There should certainly be a test and both parts 1 and 2 are available to provisional licence-holders in the first year. There is a difference. Learner car drivers must be accompanied, so they have an incentive to take training and pass the test. There is no such incentive for the unaccompanied motor cycle learner. We want, above all, to reduce the awful number of accidents, particularly to young learner riders. I urge the right hon. Gentleman to give the legislation a chance to work. If it does not work, we can then talk about reviewing it.

Mr. Parris

I thank my hon. Friend for explaining that the legislation needs a chance to work. Might it be sensible to set a period after which there will be a formal review of the legislation, particularly this qualification about which many motor cyclists feel deeply resentful?

Mrs. Chalker

I thoroughly understand what my hon. Friend says, but we must encourage young motor cyclists—indeed, all motor cyclists, to take training and pass the test. If he has any other bright ideas, other than making training mandatory—which I believe would be wrong—I should be happy to receive them. We must encourage young motor cyclists to take training, and they should be encouraged to do so in view of the 85 per cent. pass rate in part 1 after training.