Driving licence query sparks protests

London: Plans to force motorists applying for a driving licence to answer a question about organ donation have met with a furious backlash.

From Monday, applicants must state if they want to sign up to the NHS Organ Donor Register or not, or defer a decision.

The Government hopes the move will double the number of potential donors, but critics claim it is one step closer to compulsory organ donation.

Tory MP Peter Bone described the initiative as "Big State gone mad".

Previously, the question was optional and applicants were able to ignore it.

If the pilot scheme is successful, it could be rolled out to those seeking to renew their passports.

‘Back door' attempt

Less than a third of all Britons are registered to donate their vital organs. But ministers believe far more are willing to.

Critics on Sunday claimed it was a "back door" attempt to force people to make an instant decision over organ donation.

Bone said: "A Conservative-led Government should be reducing the size of the state and reducing the amount the state involves itself in people's lives. "I don't remember this being discussed in Parliament.

"What they are saying is, we're going to stop you getting something you're entitled to and ask you about something which is not relevant at all to what you're applying for.

"They could extend this to when you apply for a passport or anything.

"It's a back door way of forcing people to decide whether they want to go into organ donation. It doesn't apply to everyone.

"I may not need a new licence, so I won't answer the question. It's Big State gone mad."