§ 50. Mr. Chetwyndasked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation how many people are awaiting driving tests at the Middlesbrough centre; what is the average waiting time; how many examiners there are; what action he is taking to increase the number; and how the position on Tees-side compares with other areas.
§ Mr. NugentAbout 2,400 people are waiting to be tested, and the waiting period is ten weeks compared with eight to nine in the Northern Traffic Area generally. Four examiners are permanently stationed at Middlesbrough, and 1355 assistance is being given from other centres pending the appointment of two new examiners.
§ Mr. ChetwyndIs there any real difficulty in getting these further examiners?
§ Mr. NugentI hope not. We are intending to engage an additional seventy examiners this summer and I shall be able to see the result in the course of the next couple of months.