§ Mr. Richard Wainwrightasked the Minister of Transport (1) what is the current total of new driving examiners recruited as part of the recruitment drive 725W launched by his Department last autumn; and what is the estimated deficit;
(2) whether he is satisfied with the efforts being made by his Department to recruit more driving examiners; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeSince October 1978, 164 new driving examiners have been recruited and 50 more have been offered posts or are awaiting training places. This will not be sufficient substantially to reduce the present backlog and to cope with expected demand. My right hon. Friend therefore intends to give priority to recruiting more examiners, and they have been exempted from the Government's general ban on recruitment in the Civil Service. Other possible ways of reducing waiting times are also being examined.
§ Mr. Michael Brownasked the Minister of Transport how many driving examiners are employed at the Scunthorpe driving test centre.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeFive.