§ Mr. Molloyasked the Minister of Transport if he will now make a statement on the embargo on new applications for garages to join the car testing scheme which was announced on 20th December, 1967.
§ Mr. MarshThis embargo will be lifted on 1st April, 1969. I must, however, make it clear that since throughout the country as a whole there are already more authorised examiners than are necessary to carry out the tests and this situation is likely to continue for the foreseeable future, there is no need to increase the number from the point of view of road safety. Area mechanical engineers have, therefore, been instructed that essential work must not be disrupted or delayed by the consideration of applications to join the scheme.
The speed with which applications will be processed will vary from locality to locality according to circumstances.