HC Deb 16 March 1960 vol 619 cc99-100W
32. Mr. Hendry

asked the Minister of Transport how many applicants for driving tests at Inverurie have been requested to go to Aberdeen for that purpose; what are the addresses of all such applicants, and what is the distance of their residences from Aberdeen; how many of these persons have informed him that they are unable to go to Aberdeen to be tested; and whether he will give instructions to his local representatives to continue to make appointments for driving tests in Inverurie pending a complete investigation into the whole subject, as promised in correspondence with the hon. Member for Aberdeen, West.

Mr. Hay

Twenty-nine applicants for tests at Inverurie have been offered appointments at Aberdeen. One of these has said that he is unable to accept the particular appointment offered; two others have asked for their tests to be transferred to Ballater.

The object of closing Inverurie and certain other centres is, by making a more efficient use of examiners' time, to improve the service to the public and reduce delays. I do not propose to cancel, at this stage, the arrangements already made for the applicants concerned to be tested at Aberdeen, as this would be likely to involve them and other candidates in further delays, but I am looking closely into the whole subject and shall soon write fully to my hon. Friend in response to his letter of 24th February.

The following is the information requested about the distances of applicants' residences from Aberdeen:

Number of Candidates Addresses Distance from Aberdeen
miles
1 Whitecairns 8
1 Skene 9
1 Kintore 12
2 Udny 14
2 Kemnay 15
2 Inverurie 16
1 Keithhall 16
1 Sauchen 16
1 Tarves 17
1 Oldmeldrum 18
1 Inveramsay 19
1 Tough 21
1 Arnage 21
1 Methlick 22
1 Oyne 24
2 Alford 25
1 Fyvie 26
1 Kincardine O'Neil 26
1 Old Rayne 27
1 Insch 27
2 Rothienorman 28
1 Cushnie 30
2 Tarland 31
Total 29