§ Mr. MaddenTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) how many motor cycle testing stations there are in(a) Bradford and (b) Leeds; what is the current waiting list at each of these stations; how many test inspectors are employed at each station; how many hours and on what days each station holds tests; what contingency arrangements are to be introduced if motor cyclists are unable to be tested before the expiry of a provisional licence; and if he will make a statement; [26138]
(2) what action he is taking to facilitate motor cyclists living in (a) Bradford and Leeds and (b) other parts of West Yorkshire to take any tests they are required to take without undue delay. [26137]
§ Mr. NorrisThese are operational matters for the Driving Standards Agency. I have asked the chief executive to write to the hon. Member.
Letter from B. I. Herdan to Mr. Max Madden, dated 25 May 1995:
The Secretary of State for Transport has asked me to reply to your questions about motorcycle tests in Bradford and Leeds.The Agency offers motorcycle tests at the centres at Wibsey, Bradford and Horsforth, Leeds. At these centres local demand is such that current waiting times are 2 and 9 weeks respectively. These include test slots provisionally reserved by Approved Training Bodies where payment is required not later than 10 clear working days before the day of the test. Earlier dates may therefore become available at Horsforth if provisionally reserved slots are not taken up, or there are cancellations, and the centre is within reasonable travelling distance of Wibsey where current demand is not so great. There is one motorcycle examiner at each centre who conducts tests three days a week. At Wibsey this is on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, and at Horsforth on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. These involve full daily programmes of 8 tests a day.Where there is a specific need for an earlier test date, for example the expiry of a provisional licence, our Regional Office in Newcastle which currently deals with the books for West Yorkshire always endeavours to make additional programmes available to meet this need. This will obviously depend on the examiner resources available at the time and the method of notice given by the candidate.