Oral Answers to Questions Debate

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Department: Department for Transport

Oral Answers to Questions

Tony Baldry Excerpts
Thursday 22nd July 2010

(14 years, 3 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Lord Hammond of Runnymede Portrait Mr Philip Hammond
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The coalition Government have indeed ruled out the tolling of the existing road network for the duration of this Parliament.

Tony Baldry Portrait Tony Baldry (Banbury) (Con)
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T3. What are the Government going to do to make it safer for motorcyclists by improving the tests for motorcyclists? In particular, the last Government so reduced the number of test sites that we had the slightly ludicrous situation of motorcyclists who had not passed the test having to travel considerable distances on their motorbikes to take the test. So can we see some improvement in the test regime for motorcyclists?

Mike Penning Portrait The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport (Mike Penning)
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I thank my hon. Friend for that question. We have announced a review into both parts of the motorcycle test, not only because of the concerns he raises, but because of some of the accidents that have taken place on tests, especially on part 1, which is off-road. We have a ludicrous situation in which some people have to travel two and a half miles with their L plates on to take the test, go off-road, fail it and then have to ride all the way back. That situation is being reviewed, and we hope to have answers in the autumn.