Mr. John D. TaylorTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the present waiting period to have vehicles tested at the Department of Environment vehicle testing centre in Newtownards; what change has taken place in the levels of employment at this centre during the past 12 months; what complaints he has received about delays at this centre; what proposals he has to privatise vehicle testing; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Peter BottomleyThe waiting time is too long. The present appointment waiting time for vehicle tests at the Newtownards centre is five weeks for goods vehicles and five and a half weeks for private cars.
There has been no change in the levels of employment at this centre during the past 12 months. One vacancy since August, due to promotion, will be filled this month. We are not aware of specific written complaints about delays at this centre.
We have commissioned management consultants to review the present vehicle testing arrangements and to propose how the function might be carried out in future. The Department of Environment is currently considering the consultants' report and will consult the unions before deciding on proposals to achieve a better service for vehicle users.