§ Mr. Gwilym Robertsasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what complaints he had received in connection with the administration of the vehicle taxation office at Swansea; what study he has made of the delay in providing commercial O licences, and the difficulties thus caused to businesses; and if he will make a statement.
§ Dr. GilbertThe Department does not maintain a record of complaints; but the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Centre at Swansea has received about 120,000 inquiries of various kinds in connection with the centre's 6 million vehicle transactions over the last six months. The centre does not deal with commercial O licences which are the responsibility of the local licensing authorities. I am satisfied that proper investigation by the licensing authority, and the period allowed for statutory objection, are necessary in the public interest before an O licence is granted. In well—founded cases of urgency there is discretion to grant an interim licence.