§ 78. Mr. Grimondasked the Minister of Transport if he will now give details of the effect upon Scottish local motor taxation departments of the proposals of the Vehicle and Driving Licences Act.
§ Mr. MarshThe general effect of centralising the licensing system under the Act will be the same in Scotland as elsewhere. On present plans the Minister will become the sole licensing authority in April, 1970, but the local authorities will be invited to maintain the present local taxation offices as his agents until the transfer of their functions to the Central Office at Swansea is completed in 1975. Thereafter there will be local offices of the centrallised system in Scotland at the places—including Kirkwall—indicated in my Answer to the hon. Member for Glasgow, Cathcart (Mr. Edward M. Taylor) on 22nd November, 1968.
Special arrangements have been made for the staff of all local motor taxation departments to have the opportunity to apply for civil service posts in the new licensing organisation and many have done so. Any of the staff who suffer loss or diminution of emoluments or lose their employment as a result of centralisation will receive appropriate compensation.—[Vol. 773, c. 356.]