§ 3. Mr. Amessasked the Secretary of State for Transport what criteria are used to determine whether driving conditions are sufficiently difficult to justify the establishment of a driving test centre in a particular locality; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Peter BottomleyWe need routes with the greatest variety of traffic conditions and hazards within the area.
§ Mr. AmessI listened carefully to my hon. Friend, but does he agree that my constituency more than meets the criteria for a test centre? We have the greatest number of applicants for tests in Essex, we have to travel long distances to Brentwood and Grays, and our shopping centre is so successful that our driving conditions are more than testing.
§ Mr. BottomleyThe problem is not just the number of people who want to take the test. The problem lies in the Basildon one-way system, its wide and open junctions and well planned roundabouts. It has few traffic lights, and I understand that the town centre is a pedestrian precinct. I would have thought that the four test centres within 13 miles of Basildon, at Brentwood, Grays, Southend and Chelmsford, would allow someone who is about to be tested to relax as he drives there, and perhaps be more successful in his test.
§ Mr. HardyI am in no way suggesting that people drive tractors around Basildon, but I have a constituent who is seeking to get a driving licence to drive a tractor in the Rotherham area. He has been told that he must wait until there are several other applicants for tractor driving tests, and the delay is threatening his employment. Will the Minister look with a great deal of urgency at the letter I sent to him?
§ Mr. BottomleyYes, Sir. We are conscious that where employment is tied to passing a test it is up to us to ensure that people can take their test as soon as possible. We are also trying to reduce the general waiting list for tests.