HC Deb 22 October 1986 vol 102 cc914-5W
Mr. Teddy Taylor

asked the Secretary of State for Transport how many appeals against the withdrawal of authorisation to conduct Ministry of Transport tests were considered in the last annual period for which figures are available; and what was the average decision time involved.

Mr. Peter Bottomley

One hundred and two appeals were considered in 1985. Of these 71 were by authorised examiners (garages) against withdrawal of authorisation and 31 were by nominated testers against their suspension from testing. The average decision time was 15 weeks.

Mr. Teddy Taylor

asked the Secretary of State for Transport how many garages were authorised to conduct Ministry of Transport testing at the most recent date for which figures are available; and how many of these authorisations were withdrawn in each of the first five years, respectively.

Mr. Peter Bottomley

For the quarter ending 30 September 1986 there were 16,939 privately operated testing stations authorised to conduct MOT testing. I regret that information regarding the number of these authorisations that may have been withdrawn in each of their first five years of operation is not readily available and can only be obtained at disproportionate cost.

Mr. Teddy Taylor

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what steps he is taking to speed up the consideration of appeals against the withdrawal of Ministry of Transport authorisations; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Peter Bottomley

The number of appeals against withdrawal of MOT authorisations is increasing. Eighteen appeals were dealt with in 1982; 60 in 1983; 87 in 1984; 102 in 1985, and the 1986 figure is expected to be even higher. As a result, the consideration of these appeals within our existing resources is taking longer than I would like. Measures for reducing the time taken are currently being looked at as part of the Department's review of the workings of the MOT scheme.