§ Mr. Fitchasked the Secretary of State for Transport whether he has reached any decisions on the proposals to extend the learner driver test, to introduce written tests and to amend regulations governing professional car driving instruction.
§ Mr. HoramYes. My right hon. Friend decided that since the L test is soundly based and generally effective for its purpose, it would not be right at the present time to devote more resources to lengthening326W it so as to introduce new features, or to introduce written tests, for which there was no general support among the organisations consulted.
On driving instruction, my right hon. Friend has concluded that the best way to secure the necessary improvement would be to abolish the trainee licence system so that new instructors would have to train and qualify for registration before giving paid instruction. My right hon. Friend will propose legislation to this effect in due course, rather than make interim changes in the present regulations.