§ Mr. Corbettasked the Secretary of State for the Environment for what reason, and when, the Department ceased the practice of returning candidate's driving test appointment cards to driving schools; whether any consultations were held before this decision was taken; if so, with whom and with what result; and whether he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MarksThe change in procedure, which applies in the Metropolitan traffic area, was made to ensure that driving test candidates know promptly of the appointments allocated to them. Experience in that area showed that a significant proportion of appointment cards sent to driving schools did not reach the candidates concerned. The intention to make the change was notified to the national driving instructors' organisations concerned on 2nd April. Officials discussed the matter fully with those organisations which made representations before the change was implemented on 28th June.