§ Mr. Michael Cocksasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will investigate the reasons why there has been a much less substantial growth in the waiting period at the Henleaze test centre compared with the other Bristol test centres at Ashton Gate, Clifton Down and St. George, where waiting periods have more than doubled over the last 12 months.
§ Mr. PeytonThe shorter waiting period at Henleaze is due to the recent addition of another examiner there. Further examiners have now been posted to the other Bristol centres and this will similarly affect waiting periods at those centres.
§ Mr. Michael Cocksasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will investigate the reasons for the sharp increase in waiting time for driving test applicants at the Bristol test centres; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. PeytonThere has been a general sharp and unpredictable increase in demand. It takes time to recruit and train more examiners to match such an increase.
§ Mr. Michael Cocksasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will take steps to inform the general public of the waiting time for driving test applicants at the respective Bristol test centres, so that people wishing to take tests may be able to make a reasonable judgment as to when they should apply.
§ Mr. PeytonI am sure that waiting periods are already generally well known to candidates and particularly to their instructors.
§ Mr. Hicksasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the average current waiting period for a driving test for England, Cornwall and the Bodmin testing centre, respectively; and what 635W were the comparable figures in 1970, 1971 and 1972.
§ Mr. PeytonI regret that information is not readily available in this form. Available information about waiting periods in Great Britain and Bodmin is as follows:
Great Britain (average) Bodmin October 1972 8.3 weeks 8 weeks Current 20 weeks 18 weeks
§ Miss Quennellasked the Secretary of State for the Environment how much money he received from the test fees of candidates for his Department's driving tests last year, compared with the year before.
§ Mr. PeytonThe amounts received were £5,174,000 in 1971–72 and £6,004,000 in 1972–73.
§ Miss Joan Hallasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the present waiting time in Keighley for driving tests; and if he is satisfied with this.
§ Mr. PeytonTwenty-three weeks, which I do not regard as satisfactory.
§ Miss Joan Hallasked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many driving examiners there are in Keighley; and what should be the full complement.
§ Mr. PeytonFour, and four.