§ Mr. Higginsasked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will take steps to ensure that car drivers, who are requested to renew their driving licences every three years and who have applied for renewal on time, are not prevented from driving legally because the officials responsible have failed to renew their licences.
§ Mr. FowlerAn existing licence holder who is not medically unfit to drive or disqualified can continue to drive for a year once his renewal application has been sent to Swansea. While the present industrial action continues, arrival of an application at Swansea Post Office counts as receipt.
My hon. Friend will also wish to know that I have taken action to help first-time drivers whose driving licences are being held up by the Civil Service dispute. A new clause has been tabled today to the Transport Bill to give me power to make regulations allowing these applicants to start learning to drive provided they have sent in their applications to Swansea. I intend to make the necessary regulations as soon as the Transport Bill is enacted.