asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when he proposes to bring the law in Northern Ireland into line with the law in Great Britain with regard to the issue of a driving licence for a period ending with the applicant's 70th birthday.
The holder's photograph on Northern Ireland driving licences provides a smeans of identification which is of great value in present circumstances, and because of this it would be wrong to extend the period of validity of licences to a point where the photograph might cease to serve its purpose. I propose however to lay a draft order before the House this year which will make provision for the renewal of driving licences at 10-yearly intervals or on the applicant's 70th birthday, whichever is the sooner, and thereafter at three-yearly intervals. Special provision will be made for persons suffering from physical or health defects.