§ 3. Mr. Barry JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what initiatives his Department is taking to ensure sufficient availability of driving tests for trainees at transport training centres (a) nationally and (b) at the transport training centre, Llay, Clwyd.
§ Mr. Peter BottomleyAll requests for block bookings at Llay are being met. The number of HGV-PSV examiners nationally is being increased by 20 per cent.
§ Mr. Barry JonesDoes the Minister accept that the work at Llay is extremely important to the economy of north-east Wales? Will he always ensure that there are enough examiners at the right time?
§ Mr. BottomleyI agree with the hon. Gentleman on his first point and I shall try to meet his request.
§ Sir Anthony GrantApart from the availability of driving tests, is my hon. Friend satisfied with the standard of the training at the centres? My observation, particularly on the M11 and M 25, is that the standard of HGV driving is not improving and is, in many cases, deteriorating.
§ Mr. BottomleyWe are satisfied with the standard of the test. We are not satisfied, however, with the number of failures, especially car examinees, 50 per cent. of whom fail their tests. I believe that if 20 per cent. of them could hold back and receive proper training it would make it much easier to cut the waiting times and achieve greater safety on our roads. I pay tribute to our examiners who go out with drivers, half of whom they know, in advance, will not be qualified to drive safely.