Mr. Mitchellasked the Minister of Transport whether his attention has been called to the fact that it is now possible to take out an insurance policy for a few months only and yet be granted a motor-vehicle licence for 12 months; whether he is aware that there is no absolute guarantee to ensure that insurance cover is coterminous with the period of duration for which application for a motor-vehicle licence is made; whether there are any objections to adopting a policy which would afford greater protection to the public; and what is the view of the Ministry on this particular issue?
§ Mr. BurginI am aware of the circumstances referred to, which were considered by the recent Committee on Compulsory Insurance, who reported as follows: "We have closely examined a variety of proposals for synchronising the periods for which the insurance and the car licence run, but they are all subject to serious administrative difficulties and disadvantages, and we have therefore decided not to recommend any of them." (Paragraph 162 of their Report, Cmd. 5528.)
Particular difficulty would arise when a vehicle was sold during the currency of an insurance policy relating to its use. 3119W The Committee have made recommendations, which are now under consideration, designed to protect third parties in cases of failure to insure.