§ Mr. David Watkinsasked the Minister of Transport what now is the average waiting time for driving tests ; and what measures he is taking to reduce it.
§ Mr. Kenneth Clarke: On 23 May the average waiting period for driving tests was 26½ weeks ; last November it was 28 weeks. It is still far too long, but we are having to cope with the previous Administration's failure to employ enough examiners. My right hon. Friend and I are determined to reduce the backlog : since we took office, we have recruited over 300 new examiners, and further recruitment should steadily reduce waiting periods in future.