HL Deb 30 June 1975 vol 362 cc6-8
Lord PLATT

My 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 they are aware that the new driving licences and the forms of application for them do not conform to certain provisions of the Road Traffic Act 1974 (especially Sections 2(1)(b) and 3 of Schedule 3 (disclosure of medical information concerning prospective disability)); and if so, whether they intend that those provisions shall not be brought into effect.

Lord MELCHETT

Yes, my Lords, the Government are aware of it, but the forms do not need to conform yet. The Government plan to introduce the new provisions on 1st October 1975 for driving licences coming into effect from 1st January 1976. New application forms and licences are being printed and will be available then.

Lord PLATT

My Lords, I thank the noble Lord for his reply. May I ask whether Her Majesty's Government are going to inform all registered medical practitioners of their new duties in disclosing confidential information to the Secretary of State?

Lord MELCHETT

My Lords, while not entirely accepting the implications behind the noble Lord's question, I can tell him that steps are in train to make sure that all medical practitioners will be aware of the new situation when these new forms and licences are introduced.

Baroness WOOTTON of ABINGER

My Lords, can my noble friend say whether, when this new provision comes into effect, it will do away with the present situation where, on medical grounds, a person can be refused insurance by an insurance company, but still drive somebody else's car?

Lord MELCHETT

My Lords, I am afraid that I do not know the answer to that question. If I may, I shall write to my noble friend.

Lord DOUGLASS of CLEVELAND

My Lords, can my noble friend tell us what is the purpose of requiring this new information?

Lord MELCHETT

My Lords, the new information is needed in conjunction with the new licences, which will run until the holder is 70 years of age, to make sure that the Secretary of State is informed when a person has an illness which is likely in the future to make him unfit ot drive.

Lord HAWKE

My Lords, is the noble Lord correct in saying that these new forms of licence will come in in 1976? Last night I was shown a new licence issued to one of my children which looked remarkably new and which had a code on the top of it, and anybody could discover the holder's age.

Lord MELCHETT

My Lords, the noble Lord is referring to the next Question. There is a new form of licence issued at the moment which is not a till 70 licence. The till 70 licence will be introduced next year.

Lord LEATHERLAND

My Lords, will the new provisions impose any restrictions upon people merely on account of age, or will such restrictions as are imposed have regard both to age plus medical incapacity?

Lord MELCHETT

My Lords, the only difference age will make is that after the age of 70 people will be required to apply for a licence after a shorter period of time, between one, two or three years. There will be no other restrictions.

Viscount DAVENTRY

My Lords, may I ask the noble Lord what happens after the age of 80?

Lord MELCHETT

My Lords, nothing different from what happens after the age of 70.

Lord DOUGLASS of CLEVELAND

My Lords, may I ask whether there is any statistical evidence to show that such measures are necessary?

Lord MELCHETT

Yes, my Lords, the saving in public expenditure is very considerable.

Baroness WOOTTON of ABINGER

My Lords, will my noble friend be good enough to give the answer to my previous question—namely, will he find out whether, under the new regulations, it will no longer be possible for a person who can get no insurance cover for driving his own car, to be able to drive other people's cars in spite of his medical disability?

Lord MELCHETT

My Lords, I will endeavour to find out that information.

Lord SLATER

My Lords, can my noble friend tell me why applications for driving licences have to be made to the main centre in Wales? On previous occasions we were able to make applications to the transport section of the local authority in each county or metropolitan borough. What is the reason for the change?

Lord MELCHETT

My Lords, that is rather a different question. The reason for the change is to reduce the number of staff in London and to effect economy.

Lord MOWBRAY and STOURTON

My Lords, can the noble Lord tell me whether my memory is totally deficient? Do I not remember, when we dealt with the appropriate Bill concerning this matter, that regarding the question of the noble Baroness, Lady Wootton of Abinger, it was stated that if you are not entitled to a licence, you are not entitled to drive somebody else's car?

Lord MELCHETT

My Lords, this is a different question.