Mr. RobertsonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to review the rules regarding the driving of mini-buses, large vans and small lorries by people with insulin-treated diabetes. [136993]
§ Mr. HillThe Secretary of State's Honorary Medical Advisory Panel on Driving and Diabetes reviewed the licensing arrangements for Group 2 vehicles (vehicles above 3.5 tonnes) on 4 October. They agreed that those with good diabetic control and no significant complications should be allowed to apply for a licence for category C1 vehicles (between 3.5 and 7.5 tonnes). They
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Total New Deal starts (i) Unsubsidised employment (ii) Options (iii) Left register for other reasons (a) April 1999 to March 2000 Office for Scotland 22,372 8,262 9,384 8,384 Northern 14,866 5,148 7,083 4,713 North West 27,690 9,920 10,486 9,882 Yorkshire and the Humber 21,408 8,120 8,139 8,075 Office for Wales 11,753 4,683 4,938 4,040 West Midlands 20,245 6,909 6,063 7,933 East Midlands and Eastern 16,394 6,519 5,360 6,196 South West 11,048 4,883 3,520 4,021 Laser 46,745 16,873 13,095 19,012 (b) April 2000 to August 2000 Office for Scotland 8,621 1,880 1,016 1,482 Northern 5,878 1,174 668 822 North West 10,287 2,036 879 1,695 Yorkshire and the Humber 8,020 1,701 653 1,400 Office for Wales 4,568 1,032 487 646 West Midlands 7,727 1,339 505 1,383 East Midlands and Eastern 6,569 1,389 380 1,126 South West 4,119 1,128 286 764 Laser 16,948 3,393 1,104 3,615 will meet again on 8 November to finalise the details, after which public consultation will begin with a view to having the legislative changes in place by spring 2001.
When the results of a recently initiated research programme into the risks of hypoglycaemia and driving become available in two to three years time, the Panel will review the arrangements for categories D1, C and D (minibuses, lorries and buses).