§ Mr. Gareth WardellTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will publish for each post office district in England and Wales(a) the number of post offices currently issuing motor vehicle licences and (b) any planned increases in the number of post offices issuing motor vehicle licences.
§ Mr. PortilloThe number of post offices issuing vehicle excise licences in each post office district in England and Wales is currently as follows:
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Post office district Number of offices Newcastle 138 Lancashire and Cumbria 129 Leeds 144 Liverpool 80 Manchester 128 Sheffield 137 North Midlands 127 Birmingham and Coventry 80 South and West Midlands 113 Bristol 132 Wessex 138 Devon and Cornwall 183 East Midlands 120 Norwich 141 Oxford 113 Colchester 117 Aldershot 132 Hastings 117 Brighton 93 London North 79 London Central 43 London Western 90 London Eastern 69 London South West 91
Post office district Number of offices London South East 95 North and Mid Wales and Marches 166 South Wales 162 Grand total 3,157 Any increase in the number of the licensing post offices increases the charges made by Post Office Counters to the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency. The possibility of a further extension is, however, currently being examined with the Post Office. Any changes in the licensing network that result will be given full publicity.