HC Deb 16 May 1973 vol 856 cc1498-9
19. Sir G. Nabarro

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he is aware of delays in awaiting driving test appointments in the north-western and in the western areas, respectively, leading to complaints to his Department; what steps he is taking to expedite these appointments by the recruitment of additional instructors, including temporary examiners, to meet the current situation; and whether he will make a statement on the anticipated reduction in driving test delays.

Mr. Speed

Yes, Sir. Additional examiners are being recruited as quickly as possible. My right hon. and learned Friend prefers to concentrate on recruiting permanent, fully qualified examiners. Despite this recruitment drive, my right hon. and learned Friend regrets that it will take some time to achieve the substantial improvement which is necessary.

Sir G. Nabarro

Does not my hon. Friend realise that there are people in my constituency and elsewhere who are now being called upon to wait up to nine months to receive their licences, which is wholly unreasonable? Surely the fault lies with the pay scale for examiners imposed by the Ministry. Is it reasonable to place a top level of £1,700 a year on an examiner's salary, when examiners ought to command salaries of at least £3,000 a year?

Mr. Speed

My hon. Friend will be glad to know that we are increasing the bureaucracy, as he has put it, to the tune of 238 additional examiners this year.

The question of salaries is a matter for the Civil Service Department. I accept that the delay is too long. But once we have these additional 238 examiners, they should be able to cope with the 20 per cent. increase that we have had in the number of people wanting to take a test.

Mr. William Hamilton

Will the Minister take steps to increase the stringency of the driving test because there are people who, despite having passed it, persist in driving the wrong way round roundabouts, and buy themselves out of trouble in a court of law?

Mr. Speed

Anyone driving the wrong way around a roundabout during his test is likely to be failed. The failure rate at present is 53 per cent. This is one of the problems that we face. If we could get a higher pass rate it would ease the situation and reduce the waiting time.