Newly Qualified Drivers

Mr. French
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to introduce an identification scheme for newly qualified drivers; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Atkins
None as yet.

Mr. French
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to restrict the engine size of cars driven by drivers within 12 months of passing their driving test; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Atkins
I refer my hon. Friend to my reply of 27 June to my hon. Friend the Member for Wyre Forest (Mr. Coombs), column 211.

Mr. French
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what percentage of the total number of private motor vehicle drivers were involved in (a) fatal, and (b) non-fatal accidents within 12 months of passing their driving test for each of the last three years.

Mr. Atkins
Information is not collected in the form requested, but research studies show that young and inexperienced drivers have a much higher accident rate than mature drivers.