§ 2.43 p.m.
§ VISCOUNT MASSEREENE AND FERRARDMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the first Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government whether their attention has been drawn to a report that the governing body of Broadmoor are to allow their mental inmates to apply for the renewal of driving licences, and if it is the intention of Her Majesty's Government to allow known mentally unstable individuals to hold driving licences.]
§ THE PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY, MINISTRY OF HEALTH (LORD NEWTON)My Lords, Broadmoor patients cannot be prevented from applying by post for renewal of driving licences, and one patient is known to have done so recently; but licensing authorities are bound by law to refuse such applications. If a Broadmoor patient has a licence on admission, or is sent one later, he is not allowed possession of it.
§ VISCOUNT MASSEREENE AND FERRARDMy Lords, I thank the noble Lord for his answer.
§ LORD SOMERSMy Lords, while I agree with my noble friend's Answer 645 would he not agree with me that, judging by their behaviour on the roads, a large number of driving licence holders to-day are already qualifiable for Broadmoor; and, while the present driving test remains what it is, this is likely to go on being the case?