§ Mr. David NicholsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what representations his Department has had from Southern National Ltd. regarding public service vehicle tests in the western traffic area; whether the present arrangements are able to provide tests in less than six weeks from bookings being made; and what proposals he has for improvement.
§ Mr. Peter BottomleyAt the company's request, the clerk to the Traffic Commissioner is meeting Southern National Ltd. on 23 November to discuss arrangements for PSV driving tests in the western traffic area.
362WForward booking dates for PSV and HGV tests, including appointments reserved under advance provisional booking arrangements, range from three weeks at Plymouth to nine weeks at Poole. The average forward booking date is five and a half weeks.
We aim to provide tests within four weeks at all centres. Three additional permanent examiners are being trained for appointment to the western traffic area before the end of the year. A further two posts have been approved—one at Poole and one at Taunton.