§ Mrs. Curtis-ThomasTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) for what reasons the Driving Standards Agency plans to recruit a further 85 examiners in 1999; [86247]
(2) what effect current trends in demand for driving tests are having on examiner staffing levels. [86245]
§ Ms Glenda JacksonThe Driving Standards Agency closely monitors demand for driving tests. The forecast level of demand for practical driving tests in 1999–2000 is similar to 1998–99, at 1.4 million. However, the introduction of the longer driving test, with examiners conducting seven rather than eight tests a day, means each 279W examiner conducts 12.5 per cent. fewer tests. Taking account of retirements, the Agency estimates that it will need to recruit 80 to 85 examiners during 1999–2000. They will be recruited on a contract basis to enable the Agency to respond flexibly to fluctuations in demand.
§ Mrs. Curtis-ThomasTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what future changes are planned for the driving test centre estate; and what assessment he has made of the effect of these on present levels of public service. [86223]
§ Ms Glenda JacksonThe Driving Standards Agency keeps the practical test centre estate under review as part of the business management. Any changes will be considered on their merits, with a view to increasing the efficiency of property use whilst improving customer service.
§ Mrs. Curtis-ThomasTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many contractual examiners are currently employed by the Driving Standards Agency; and under what circumstances they are used. [86244]
§ Ms Glenda JacksonThe Driving Standards Agency currently employs 157 contract driving examiners nationally, on a variety of three-yearly contracts. Some staff are guaranteed a minimum of one day's work per month, while others may be working full time. The amount of work on offer is determined by local demand for driving tests and the need to cover absences in the permanent examiner workforce. The Agency plans to standardise existing contracts as they come up for renewal.
§ Mrs. Curtis-ThomasTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if the Driving Standards Agency will conduct comparative studies of driving test arrangements in other countries in order to identify and evaluate best practice. [87153]
§ Ms Glenda JacksonThe Transport Research Laboratory is reviewing the practical car driving test. This includes an examination of arrangements in other countries. A final report is expected next year.
§ Mrs. Curtis-ThomasTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will introduce arrangements for self-regulation in the driving test industry. [87151]
§ Ms Glenda JacksonNo. We regard it as essential that the public can have assurance that we issue driving licences only after candidates have passed statutory tests that are conducted in a fair, consistent and independent manner.
§ Mrs. Curtis-ThomasTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will establish mobile driving test centres for local areas whose test centres have been closed. [87152]
§ Ms Glenda JacksonOccasional driving test centres are used in some of the more remote parts of the country where the demand for tests is very low. But we have no plans to use mobile centres in areas where permanent test centres have been closed. The decision to close a280W permanent test centre is taken only after careful consideration has been given to the availability of other centres in the locality.
§ Mrs. Curtis-ThomasTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make financial compensation available to approved driving instructors whose businesses have been affected by driving test centre closures. [87148]
§ Ms Glenda JacksonWe have no plans to pay compensation to driving instructors when a test centre closes. The demand for their services relates to where their pupils live, rather than the particular location of a driving test centre.
§ Mrs. Curtis-ThomasTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the improvements his Department has made in local services provided by the Driving Standards Agency following closures of driving test centres. [87150]
§ Ms Glenda JacksonSavings achieved from restructuring the test centre estate in 1998–99 have helped pay for eight new test centres and the new driving test booking system.