HC Deb 09 March 1977 vol 927 cc1392-4
12. Mr. Arthur Jones

asked the Secretary of State for Transport whether he is satisfied with the efficiency of the Swansea Driver and Vehicle Licensing Centre.

13. Mr. Robert Cooke

asked the Secretary of State for Transport whether he is satisfied with the efficiency of the Swansea Driver and Vehicle Licensing Centre.

Mr. Horam

Yes, Sir.

Mr. Jones

That is an extraordinarily complacent reply. The hon. Gentleman must be aware, as the House is, of the very large number of complaints that we are getting, particularly about delays in the offices out there. Has he been able to satisfy himself about the causes of these delays? What steps are being taken to eliminate them? That is what we are interested in. Does the hon. Gentleman know what the defects are in the operation? Will he publish in the Official Report figures showing the levels of staff, part- and full-time, and the cost of the organisation?

Mr. Horam

I shall consider the hon. Gentleman's last request and see whether I can meet it, but I remind the House that the Automobile Association, which is not backward in the interests of motorists, has given the Swansea centre a pretty clean bill of health. There were initial problems, but the situation is improving. I was there recently and was impressed by the improved standards of efficiency.

Mr. Cooke

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that many of us would regard the place at Swansea as a disaster area? Is he further aware that many of my constituents have found themselves in trouble with the police, as well as in trouble over hire purchase, and so on, and have suffered great personal inconvenience, because of the lack of activity at Swansea? The complacency of his reply is insufferable.

Mr. Horam

There was no complacency in my reply. I was impressed by the set-up. The situation has improved, and the fact that an independent body such as the AA can say so is clear evidence that the hon. Gentleman's remark that this is a disaster area is totally inaccurate. Vehicle licences are now turned round in two days flat, registration documents within eight or nine days, and driving licences within eight to nine days flat. That is extremely good going.

Mr. Spriggs

Is my hon. Friend aware that most of us on Labour Benches are disappointed with his reply? If he is satisfied with the Swansea centre, let me assure him that there are many thousands of constituents all over the country who are not. What is he going to do about it?

Mr. Horam

I am satisfied—

Mr. Spriggs

Then my hon. Friend should be ashamed of himself.

Mr. Horam

—and there is independent testimony to the fact—that the situation is improving at the centre. I have looked into it extensively, and I am confident that the staff are doing all they can. As my hon. Friend knows—and he should give them credit for it—they have set up special arrangements to deal with problems that occur, and these are dealt with quickly.

Mr. Peter Walker

Is the hon. Gentleman as satisfied as the Treasury that it is sensible to continue with both the vehicle licence tax and the petrol tax? Would it not be a good idea to combine the two?

Mr. Horam

There is something to be said for that, but that is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer.

Mr. Watt

As the Scotland and Wales Bill is in limbo, will the hon. Gentleman devolve responsibility for driver and motor vehicle licensing to Scotland, so that at least he may get that right?

Mr. Horam

I certainly would not wish to cast aspersions on the Welsh, to whom the centre was devolved for very good reasons. I am sure that to transfer it to Scotland would not meet with the approval of my colleagues.