§ Mr. Roger Moate (Faversham)I wish to present a petition from my constituent, Mrs. Marion Page, with 27,000 signatures, and her organisation called "Keep Death off our Roads", which she established after the tragic death of her son.
I agree with some of the conclusions of the petition—although not all—and I strongly support the recommendations for more stringent eye tests for motorists, which is the principal purpose of the petition, which states;
To the Honourable the Commons of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland in Parliament assembled.The Humble Petition of K-DOOR (Keep Death off our Roads) and supporters—14,981, and SCID, (Scottish Campaign Against Irresponsible Drivers) and supporters—12,063—Sheweth that, whereas it is proposed to make a charge for the eye test (currently free), and whereas many drivers now wield their lethal weapon, the car, with defective eyesight, and whereas the eyetest requirements for British drivers are the lowest in the world, we believe charges would prove a false economy, because, (a) serious eye diseases will go longer undetected (b) deaths and injuries on the roads will result from poor eyesight.Wherefore your Petitioners pray that your Honourable House press for the retention of a free eye test, and for more stringent, frequent compulsory eyesight tests for motorists.And your Petitioners, as in duty bound will ever pray, etc.
§ To lie upon the Table.