§ Dr. NaysmithTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what action he proposes to take to regulate further who may drive small public service vehicles. [69801]
§ Ms Glenda JacksonI am concerned that public service vehicles with fewer than 9 passenger seats which may be driven by the holder of an ordinary car driving licence (category B), are being used in the same way as private hire vehicles but without the checks on drivers' criminal records and medical fitness that a local authority would usually make for the issue of a private hire vehicle drivers' licence.
I therefore propose to introduce regulations providing for criminal conviction and medical fitness checks for those driving small public service vehicles on a category B licence. The regulations would enable Traffic Commissioners to require such checks as a condition of a public service vehicle operator's licence. I will consult interested parties on this proposal.