§ Mr. John Ellisasked the Secretary of State for Transport whether he is satisfied with the adequacy of the driving test for drivers of heavy goods vehicles; and how it compares with that applied in other countries.
§ Mr. HoramThe test to which my hon. Friend refers includes driving over a route of between 20 and 25 miles in a wide variety of traffic conditions. I am satisfied that it requires the high standard of driving ability appropriate to a professional driver. The test is considerably more extended than that required for drivers of comparable vehicles in other countries in Western Europe.