HC Deb 22 December 1983 vol 51 c400W
Mr. Michael Brown

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what is the present waiting time for a driving test at the Cleethorpes driving centre.

Mrs. Chalker

14 weeks.

Mr. Michael Brown

asked the Secretary of State for Transport (1) how many candidates have had driving tests cancelled on more than one occasion by the Cleethorpes driving test centre;

(2) how many driving tests have been cancelled by the test centre within (a) 24 hours and (b) four hours at the Cleethorpes driving test centre during the past three months.

Mrs. Chalker

During the past three months, 12 candidates at the Cleethorpes centre had driving tests cancelled more than once, with at least six days' notice on the second occasion in each case. Twenty-six driving tests were cancelled within 24 hours because of examiners' sickness. Twenty-eight other tests were cancelled within four hours for this reason, together with a further 36 tests because bad weather conditions had made it impossible to conduct a test safely.

Mr. Michael Brown

asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he is satisfied with the level of staffing at the Cleethorpes driving test centre.

Mrs. Chalker

Yes. Temporary difficulties have arisen because of staff sickness, but action is being taken to cope with these. If my hon. Friend wishes to write to me about particular instances I should be glad to look into them.