HL Deb 15 June 1977 vol 384 cc162-4

3.52 p.m.

Lord ALLERTON

My Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.

The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the new system of vehicle registration with the centre at Swansea has in fact been cheaper than the old arrangements, and if so by how much; and why it has been found necessary to issue the licences through a number of local offices.

Baroness STEDMAN

My Lords, it is estimated that the annual running cost of the centralised Driver and Vehicle Licensing system, when it is fully operational in 1978, will he roughly the same as that which would have been incurred under the old system, taking into account the increase in driver and vehicle populations. Such a comparison is, however, virtually meaningless since the old system would certainly have collapsed before 1978 and that is why the change was necessary. It was intended from the outset, in 1965, that there should be a reduced network of local offices to provide an over-the-counter service for first registration of vehicles, the issue of licences and the provision of information.

Lord ALLERTON

My Lords, while thanking the noble Baroness for that reply—I do not know whether I dare say "satisfactory" reply—may I ask whether it is the intention to close the local offices? I am not clear on that. If it is the intention to do so, how is it proposed to employ the personnel who now work in those offices?

Baroness STEDMAN

No, my Lords, it is not intended to close those local offices. Even the most enthusiastic proponents for centralisation have always seen the need for a network of local offices and post offices to provide a counter service to deal with certain aspects of the licensing work. We see that continuing.

Viscount MONCK

My Lords, is the noble Baroness happy about the efficiency of the Swansea centre? Is she aware that on 7th May, on receiving a courteous reminder that my driving licence was due for renewal on 9th June, I filled in a form which said: "Three weeks' notice should he given," and sent it with my cheque, which was duly passed through my bank ten days later? Is she further aware that up to this morning's post—which is five and a half weeks later—I have received neither acknowledgment nor driving licence, so I have been driving illegally for a week?

Baroness STEDMAN

My Lords, if the noble Viscount will see me afterwards and give me particulars, I will certainly look into that. As to whether we are happy that the driver and vehicle licensing centre is working satisfactorily, perhaps I may say that even the Automobile Association at the moment have said that most of the wrinkles seem to have been ironed out.

Lord LUCAS of CHILWORTH

My Lords, is the noble Baroness aware that the reduced network of over-the-counter facilities for first-time licensing is so reduced as to cause considerable embarrassment and difficulty to the motor industry in various parts of the country? Could some consultations take place with the appropriate authority to ease this difficulty? Secondly, is she aware that the type of documentation resulting from this economy in centralisation has left very little consumer protection in so far as the history record on the new and repeatedly newly-released documents is concerned?

Baroness STEDMAN

My Lords, I will bring to the attention of my Secretary of State the suggestion that the noble Lord has made. Regarding the network of local offices, it was not envisaged that we would keep open local offices in all those places where it had been possible in the past to obtain licences over the counter. It was envisaged that for customer satisfaction and convenience there was a need for a network—albeit a reduced one—of local offices from which one could easily obtain licence discs over the counter. So far as the records are concerned, we had some 13 million vehicles and 14 million drivers when we established the Swansea centre. Today, we have records for 19 million vehicles and 25 million drivers. By and large, we are keeping them in order.

Lord LUCAS of CHILWORTH

My Lords, would the noble Baroness accept that a 50 mile round trip to obtain a new road fund licence for a vehicle is reasonable?

Baroness STEDMAN

My Lords, if the noble Lord does not want to make a 50 mile trek, he can use the post.

Lord HAWKE

My Lords, if it is usual for the authorities to ask for three weeks' notice for renewing a licence, will the noble Baroness confirm that it will be in order to send a postdated cheque with the form and that that will not be the subject of any further delay?

Baroness STEDMAN

That is another question, my Lords; but I will look into it.