§ Mr. Trotterasked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) whether he is now satisfied with the service given by the central issuing office for driving licences; and if not what steps he proposes to improve the efficiency; (2) what are the causes which result in one applicant in 200 having to wait for more than five weeks before receiving his driving licence from the central issuing office.
§ Mr. CarmichaelI am satisfied that action which has been and is being taken should reduce delays in the really difficult cases which give cause for concern. In most of these cases the delay is due to a discrepancy between the information given on the application form and that on the driver and vehicle licensing centre's records. This can arise because of mistakes by applicants; because information sent to the centre for its records is inaccurate, incomplete, or late—or because of processing errors.
§ Mr. Adam Butlerasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what different groups of drivers, other than learners, are required to renew driving licences annually rather than every three years; and if he will alter the charge for those licences so that these people are not penalised financially because of the need for more frequent renewal than normal.
§ Mr. CarmichaelThe only drivers at present required to renew their substantive driving licences annually are those with certain prescribed disabilities. When the changes in the duration of driving licences envisaged in the current Road Traffic Bill are introduced we intend that a "once for all" fee will cover all future full licences, irrespective of the number 197W required by an individual driver or their duration.