Dff to consider whether driver conduct hearings can be public
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Consideration of whether two drivers are still fit to hold vocational driving licences has been adjourned while the Department for Transport is asked to decide whether it is lawful for driver conduct hearings before Traffic Commissioners to be held in public.
James Backhouse of Backhouse Jones argued on behalf of the drivers that the evidence they would give was "personal data", which under the Data Protection Act should not be disseminated to the public. It was also submitted that any decision made by the TC about the drivers' fitness should not be made public either.
TO Beverley Bell said historically driver conduct hearings had been in public, but the legislation was silent on the point. The only appropriate thing was to adjourn and put the arguments to the DfT If there was a counterargument she would need to consider it.