§ Mr. Freudasked the Secretary of State for Transport on what evidence the Under-Secretary suggested on BBC television that mopeds can achieve 50 m.p.h.; to what proportion of mopeds he was referring; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. HoramMany mopeds currently in use have a capacity which enables speeds of up to 50 m.p.h. to be achieved. I do not, however, know precisely what proportion this represents of the total number of mopeds. It is largely out of concern for the safety of young riders of such machines that the Motor Vehicles (Driving Licences) (Amendment) Regulations 1976 were enacted. Under these Regulations the term "moped" was redefined so that machines first used on or after 1st August this year cannot rank as a moped if their design speed exceeds 30 m.p.h. This in turn precludes people under the age of 17 from being licensed to drive such machines, and those who are eligible to drive them will have to undergo the motor cycle driving test before they can obtain full licences.