§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for Transport whether, when having discussions with the 83W European Economic Community concerning the introduction of a European Economic Community harmonised road driving licence and road driving test, he will agree to no reduction in the present standards as operated in Great Britain for these licences and tests.
§ Mrs. ChalkerThe Community driving licence directive provides for the exchange of driving licences issued by member states from 1 January 1983, and for a common model for new licences by 1 January 1986. The directive also states that in the longer term, member States will work together towards further harmonisation of testing and licensing standards throughout the Community. In negotiating further harmonisation, we shall certainly not agree to any lowering of the standards that currently apply in the United Kingdom.