Mr. Wm. Rossasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will publish the cost, or if not available, an estimated cost, of the issue of road fund licences in Northern Ireland in the year before centralisation, in the year after centralisation, and at the latest convenient year, sums being shown in both actual and at constant figures.
249W
§ Mr. Carter, pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 23 January 1979, Vol. 961, c. 117], gave the following information:
The estimated cost of the issue of road fund licences in Northern Ireland in 1972–73 was about £300,000. The cost in 1974–75, the first full year for the centralised issue of licences was £501,531 and the cost for 1977–78 was £784,964.
The corresponding figures at constant prices are £484,930; £802,450; £784,964 respectively.
Mr. Wm. Rossasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many persons were employed on the issue of road fund licences in Northern Ireland before centralisation; how many were employed 12 months after centralisation; how many are now employed at the latest convenient date; and, of these, how many are employed at Coleraine and in local offices, respectively.
§ Mr. Carter, pursuant to his reply [official Report, 23 January 1979; Vol. 961, c. 118], gave the following information:
Before centralisation about 90 people were employed on road fund licencing in Northern Ireland. In addition local taxation authorities recruited temporary staff to assist with peak periods of work.
In 1974, 12 months after centralisation, about 150 people were employed. At 31 December 1978 there were 157 of which 101 were employed in the Coleraine central office, 5 in the Coleraine local office and 51 in the other local offices.
Mr. Wm. Rossasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if, when the centralisation of the issue of road fund licences was being considered, any estimate of the amount of work in relation to such licences, which would be carried out at county hall, Coleraine, and in the local offices, respectively, was given; and what is now the percentage of the work actually carried out at Coleraine and in the local offices, respectively.
250W
§ Mr. Carter, pursuant to his reply [official Report, 23 January 1979; Vol. 961, c. 117], gave the following information:
Based on the percentage of postal application for road fund licences before centralisation, it was estimated that county hall, Coleraine would process about 40 per cent. of applications.
During 1978 the central office in Coleraine processed 29 per cent. of applications and the local offices the balance.
Mr. Wm. Rossasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many square feet, or if more convenient square metres, of floor space are occupied in County Hall, Coleraine, by the staff employed in the issue of road fund licences.
§ Mr. Carter, pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 23 January 1979; Vol. 961, c. 117], gave the following information:
Approximately 10,000 square feet of floor space are occupied by the staff employed in county hall, Coleraine on road fund licensing.
Mr. Wm. Rossasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when the decision to centralise the issue of road fund licences in Coleraine was taken and implemented.
§ Mr. Carter, pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 23 January 1979; Vol. 961, c. 961], gave the following information:
The former Prime Minister of Northern Ireland announced the proposed transfer to central government of vehicle registration and road fund licensing responsibilities on 17 December 1970.
The decision to locate the vehicle licensing central office at county hall, Coleraine was taken on 8 May 1972 and the central office commenced issuing licences on 1 October 1973.