§ Mr. McCrindleasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will include a test of capability to park a vehicle as part of the driving test.
§ Dr. GilbertI would very much like to do so, but there are certain practical problems. I am considering how these could be overcome.
§ Mr. McCrindleasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will require part of the driving test to include capability to counteract skidding.
§ Dr. GilbertNo. To introduce such a requirement would be very expensive, involving, as it would, the provision of skid pans at all driving test centres. If resources of this order were available to spend on driving test centres I would have other priorities.
§ Mr. McCrindleasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will require part of the driving test to be taken during the hours of darkness.
§ Dr. GilbertWhile this proposal has its attractions there would be certain difficulties in ensuring that all learner drivers were adequately tested during the hours of darkness as many tests would have to be carried out in the small hours of the morning when traffic conditions are far from normal. I am, therefore, doubtful whether the benefits to be gained from extra driving tests at night would justify the high costs which would be involved.
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§ Mr. McCrindleasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will alter the scope of the driving test to require a written examination on the Highway Code to be passed before a practical test of driving capability.
§ Dr. GilbertI am planning to go out to consultation shortly on proposals affecting the scope and content of the driving test as a whole. This suggestion is one of those which I have in mind.