§ Second Schedule, page 34, line 22, column 2, at beginning insert—
| In the proviso to sub-section (1), for the words 'he produces the same in person' there shall be substituted the words 'it is produced'.") |
§ LORD CHESHAMMy Lords, this is one which I think will be useful both to the public and to the police. At the moment if you are required by a policeman to show your driving licence, insurance certificate or, now, the vehicle test certificate, you may, in certain circumstances be able to do it within five days, instead of showing it at the time. As the law stands, you have to show it in person, and in some circumstances that is becoming a little bit of a bore; 238 because a number of commercial firms have block insurances with a master certificate, which means that the company secretary has to go off with the driver to the police station to display it. Therefore, it is suggested that, particularly as the insurance certificate and the test certificate relate to the vehicle and not to the driver, it need not necessarily be done by the driver at the time in person; but that that should not include the driving licence, which should certainly be shown by the driver in person. Also, it is thought that, as long as that is so, the police work will be much easier, because if there is any irregularity in the licence the person probably has it with him, and it makes it easier for them if he has to show it in person. I think this is a small but reasonable idea. I beg to move.
§ Moved, That this House doth agree with the Commons in the said Amendment.—(Lord Chesham.)
§ On Question, Motion agreed to.