§ 53. Mr. K. Thompsonasked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation in what circumstances arrangements are made for special driving tests at times and dates to suit the convenience of the learner-driver.
§ Mr. WatkinsonApplicants for driving tests are asked to say on the application form what days are convenient to them. If possible, appointments are offered them on those days; if not, the earliest available appointment is offered.
§ Mr. ThompsonWill my right hon. Friend impress upon his officials that this system of examination exists for the convenience of the customers and not of those who administer the scheme? Will he further impress upon them that, wherever possible, arrangements should be made—if necessary at great inconvenience to his officials—to meet the requirements of learner-drivers?
§ Mr. WatkinsonI take my hon. Friend's point. The answer is to recruit more examiners, and that is what I am now doing.
§ Captain PilkingtonWould my right hon. Friend consider it advisable for learned-drivers to wear anti-dazzle glasses when confronted with the right hon. Member for Ipswich (Mr. Stokes) wearing his yellow pullover?
§ 54. Mr. K. Thompsonasked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what proposals he has for reducing the waiting lists for driving tests which have increased as a result of recent weather conditions.
§ Mr. WatkinsonThe present congestion, which has been aggravated by recent weather conditions, can only be removed by recruitment of new examiners, and this is already proceeding.
§ Mr. ChetwyndCan the right hon. Gentleman say what happens when the instructor is away through illness and when the people whom he should have tested go to the bottom of the list? Can other arrangements be made?
§ Mr. WatkinsonThat is one reason why we need more examiners and why I am conducting an active recruiting campaign.