§ Mr. CryerTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what are the criteria for the proposal to limit newly qualified motor cycle drivers to 400 cc machines; whether high brake horsepower output machines will be included; for what period this limitation will apply; and if he will make a statement.
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§ Mr. Peter BottomleyThe EC Commission is expected to propose that, as part of its plans for further harmonisation of driver licence categories, inexperienced riders should be limited to motor bikes below a certain size or power. The limit is likely to be 400 cc or 35 kw. It remains unclear how these would relate to each other. We agree with the Commission's objective. We are still considering the details of the proposals.
The Commission is also expected to propose a separate test before motor cyclists may ride more powerful machines. We believe that two years riding experience would be a sufficient safeguard. We shall continue to argue for this and against introducing a new special test. Unfortunately, our position has not been made clear in some press reports on this issue.