§ 56. Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for the Environment on what date he changed the programme for the start of the centralisation of vehicles records and licensing from April, 1971, to 1974, and for completion by 1976; why this was done; why, on assuming full legal responsibility for driver and vehicle licensing on 1st April, 1971, he is still continuing to employ local authorities as his agents to carry on these duties; what the object of the legal charges are; and what they mean in practice.
§ Mr. Eldon GriffithsThe present timetable for the centralisation of vehicle licensing was adopted at the beginning of 1970. My right hon. Friend has asked local authorities to continue to operate the existing system in order that licensing may be maintained until centralisation can be completed. By assuming full statutory responsibility for licensing my right hon. Friend will be in a stronger position to help the local authorities to carry out this task, but there is no practical change so far as the general public is concerned.