HC Deb 12 April 1994 vol 241 cc83-4W
Mr. Lester

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what targets he has set for the Driving Standards Agency for 1994–95.

Mr. Key

My right hon. Friend has set the following key targets for the Driving Standards Agency, which are contained in the agency's business Plan, a copy of which will be placed in the Library: to achieve, or better, unit costs of £24.50 for car tests; £59.03 for bus, coach and lorry tests; £32.66 for motorcycle tests; and £38.62 for overall approved driving instructor register activities; to recover full costs through fees and charges, including the recovery of accumulated deficits by 1995–96; to achieve a national average waiting time of no more than six weeks for car tests and no more than four weeks for motorcycle, bus, coach and lorry test; and to answer 90 per cent. of telephone calls to booking offices within one minute.

Mrs. Dunwoody

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether the Institute of Professional Driving Examiners is a recognised trade union in the Driving Standards Agency for the purposes of negotiation or consultation.

Mr. Key

Responsibility for the subject of the question has been delegated to the Driving Standards Agency under its chief executive, Dr. John Ford. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

Letter from Dr. S. J. Ford to Mrs. Gwyneth Dunwoody, dated 30 March 1994: The Secretary of State for Transport has asked to reply to your question about recognition of the Institute of Professional Driving Examiners (IPDE) by this Agency. IPDF. has been recognised as a trade union in the Driving Standards Agency only for the purposes of consultation. I have no plans at present to recognise 1PDE for negotiation purposes.