Motoring Offences Review

Lord Berkeley Excerpts

Thursday 7th July 2016 Lords Chamber

Asked by

[Lord Berkeley]

To ask Her Majesty’s Government why their review of motoring offences and penalties announced two years ago has not started.

[The Minister of State, Ministry of Justice (Lord Faulks) (Con)]

My Lords, the review of offences and penalties relating to driving is taking place within consideration of a wider sentencing framework. We intend to commence a public consultation before the end of the year.

[Lord Berkeley (Lab)]

I am grateful to the Minister for that Answer. I remind him, if he does not know already, that in May 2014—that is over two years ago—the then Secretary of State, Chris Grayling, announced,

“a full review of all driving offences and penalties … over the next few months … expected to be implemented in early 2015”.

Twenty-five months later—stretching the definition of a “few months” a little bit—the Minister says that the review has started, but when will there be public consultation, for how long and when will the Government publish something that we can read? I know that we have a caretaker Government at the moment but, unless they were going to use European legislation, this kind of thing could go on.

[Lord Faulks]

The noble Lord makes a fair point about the delay. We do, however, intend to move to a public consultation before the end of the year, with a view to bringing forward any legislative changes that are necessary later in this Session.