HC Deb 01 April 1974 vol 871 cc285-6W
Mr. Gordon Wilson

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he is satisfied with the operation of the motor licence department at Swansea; and whether he will consider decentralising its functions to the motor licensing departments of the new Scottish local authorities.

Mr. Mulley

The great majority of applications for driving licences are now going through smoothly. I am anxious to reduce the delays which occur in especially difficult cases and action is being taken to do so. Quite apart from the undesirability of reshaping the driver licensing system so soon after it has been centralised, it would not be practicable to revert to decentralisation without sacrificing the advantages of a single driver record and more effective checks which it allows.

Mr. Gordon Wilson

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what action he will take to provide an answer- ing service or a reversed charge call service at the motor licence department at Swansea in order to save expense to those telephoning long distance from Scotland.

Mr. Mulley

The inquiry unit at the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Centre operates a telephone service during normal working hours and I see no advantage in introducing automatic answering facilities during those hours.

The unit is always prepared to telephone back to callers to save them expense. All callers from public telephone boxes are asked to give the number so that a call back may be made when the time already paid for has expired. I should not feel justified in accepting the reversal of charges.

Mr. Gordon Wilson

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment, in view of delays experienced from the motor licence department at Swansea, what action he will take to ensure the speedier issue of new licences and those due for restoration following upon recall by Scottish courts of earlier orders of disqualification.

Mr. Mulley

Action is already being taken to improve turn-round times and particular attention is being paid to applications for licences after a period of disqualification. In future an acknowledgment setting out the entitlement to drive pending the issue of a licence will be sent to everyone applying for a licence after disqualification.