§ Mr. Simeonsasked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will advise the relevant training boards to make available vehicles so that those who have been driving for some years but will only be compelled to take the heavy goods vehicle licence test for the first time after February, 1973, can prepare adequately and so retain their employment.
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§ Mr. Dudley SmithIt is primarily the responsibility of industry to ensure that a sufficient number of drivers are trained to the standard required by the statutory test for heavy goods vehicle drivers. A considerable number of training courses, such as those run by the group training associations of the Road Transport Industrial Training Board, are available to employers prepared to sponsor drivers for test preparation; a suitable vehicle is provided on such courses for taking the test. I do not think, however, that boards can be expected to make vehicles available for test purposes other than in the course of approved training.