§ 8. Mr. Jannerasked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation on what basis it is estimated that his departmental appropriations in aid will diminish by £370,000 during the coming financial year as a result of the abolition of driving tests.
§ Mr. NugentThe figure of £370,000 quoted by the hon. Member represents the expected deficiency of revenue from driving test fees in the current financial year ending on 31st March next. No further applications for normal driving tests were accepted after 13th November, 1956.
§ Mr. JannerIn view of the loss of revenue, does not the hon. Gentleman think that is an additional reason for getting these driving tests going as quickly as possible? Will he also consider giving a little more petrol to driving schools to enable them to teach people?
§ Mr. NugentThe second part of the hon. Member's supplementary question is, of course, a fresh question. If he cares to put in on the Order Paper, I shall be pleased to look at it. Regarding the first part, my right hon. Friend has already announced that we hope to restart driving 413 tests on a limited scale in April, and we are making every effort to get them going as quickly as possible.
§ 12 and 13. Mr. E. Fletcherasked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation (1) if he will now arrange for driving tests to be resumed, and for driving examiners to be released from administering the fuel rationing scheme;
(2) what offers he has received from the Motor Schools Association of Great Britain for operating an emergency driving test scheme; and what is his policy with regard thereto.
§ Mr. WatkinsonAs I said in reply to Questions on 23rd January, I hope to resume driving tests on a limited scale in the latter part of April. The need for any emergency scheme does not therefore arise.
§ Mr. FletcherIs the Minister aware that it does arise? Is it not his desire, in the interest of public safety, to limit the number of casualties and see that the people who are driving have passed a test? Is he not aware that the Motor Schools Association has offered its skilled instructors, who are now not busy, as teachers to conduct emergency tests, and why does not the Minister avail himself of that offer?
§ Mr. WatkinsonThe hon. Gentleman is not quite up-to-date with his information. I have met the Motor Schools Association several times over the past three months, when we have discussed this. That emergency scheme would have been valuable only if I could not restart driving tests by using my own examiners. I have said that I hope to do that.
§ Mr. Ernest DaviesIn view of the large numbers of drivers waiting for tests, will the Minister consider increasing the number of examiners? Otherwise, the backlog will take a long time to dispose of.
§ Mr. WatkinsonThe number of examiners is at full strength for the first time for many years, and my Department will discuss with their appropriate trade union any way in which it is possible to speed up the tests.
§ Mr. ChetwyndWhen the tests are resumed, will the Minister ensure that priority is given to those who were on the waiting list when they were suspended?
§ Mr. WatkinsonI have already said that we cannot have a special priority scheme, as it would be unfair to a large number of people. But we shall deal with the people as quickly as we can.