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Road Safety Bill [Lords]

I am not sure how one would introduce first aid into the hazard perception test, but I agree with the hon. Gentleman that it would be possible to increase the number of questions in the theory test and therefore increase the chance of getting a question on first aid. I have already put the Driving Standards Agency and the Red Cross together to discuss that possibility. I have also said that if we can find some way of providing training materials, perhaps a DVD on first aid, we will look at ways of distributing it with the theory and hazard test DVDs that we sell through stationers around the country. We charge about £8 for those DVDs, and the theory and hazard tests can be practised on one’s computer. I am prepared to look at whether we can distribute some first aid material through that route. However, I am not convinced of the need for a mandatory test. The hon. Gentleman and others mentioned retro-reflective markings. My officials have given me a note suggesting what to say on that, and, rather injudiciously, they have suggested that on reflective tape I should say that I am reflecting. The clause introduced in the Lords requires the fitting of retro-reflective tape to comply with the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe regulation 104 specifications. We have not yet decided what action will we take in respect of the clause, but such regulatory powers already exist so it is not needed. The use of retro-reflective tape on all road vehicles is already permitted under the Road Vehicles Lighting Regulations 1989, as amended in 2005. We will require it on all new vehicles in the United Kingdom as soon as the European regulatory process will allow us to do so, so we can make progress on this without legislation.