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T he regulation of LGV driving schools has moved a step

24th November 1994
Page 42
Page 42, 24th November 1994 — T he regulation of LGV driving schools has moved a step
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forward with two MPs agreeing to ask questions in support of CM's campaign, now that the House of Commons has reopened following last week's Queen's Speech.

MPs David Porter and David Chidgey met CMat the House of Commons and confirmed they will put questions to the Secretary of State for Transport, Brian Mawhinney, challenging the wisdom of allowing LGV pupils to be taught by instructors who require no other qualification than an LGV licence.

If the questions fail to change the Government's mind the MPs are prepared to lead an industry delegation to meet Railways and Roads Minister John Watts in the New Year.

Porter, Conservative MP for Waveney, Suffolk since 1987, became president of the Institute of HGV Driving Instructors after an invitation from a driving school in Lowestoft, within his constituency. "It's astonishing that this campaign should be necessary," he says, "It's surprising that there's a gap like this when safety is at stake."

Porter first raised the issue with former Roads Minister Robert Key 18 months ago and believes that with a new team in charge of transport the campaign has come at the right time: "I will ask the Government whether it has changed its mind about regulation," he says.

Looking round the House of Commons tearoom he continues: "When we live in a society that regulates the wearing of caps by restaurant staff, it's bizarre that people who drive lorries, which are potential bombs with all that fuel on board, can be taught by people with so little experience."

The normal practice for MPs interested in any transport matter is to put their question to the Secretary of State for Transport who then asks the appropriate minister to respond. In this case it is likely to be John Watts, Railways and Roads Minister.

Supporting David Chidgey, Liberal Democrat MP for Eastleigh since winning the June by-election caused by the death of MP Stephen Milligan, is a chartered civil engineer and a fellow of Highway and Transportation. He supports training on laden vehicles: "I am very pleased to see the industry is supporting this campaign, it shows a great deal of responsibility from an area often maligned by the public. Driving is becoming more demanding and requires a higher standard of skill among professional drivers. The only sure way to achieve that is through regulated driver training."

Chidgey's transport experience spans 25 years—more than 20 of these with Londonbased civil engineer Brian Colquhoun and Partners which was responsible for developing integrated traffic schemes, giving buses priority, in many UK cities including Manchester, Newcastle and Birmingham. Latterly he worked as an adviser to the Department of Transport in Ireland leading


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