HC Deb 22 June 1979 vol 968 cc725-6W
Mrs. Fenner

asked the Minister of Transport what is the average waiting time for driving tests at driving test centres in the United Kingdom; and what is the average waiting time at the Med-way driving test centre.

Mr. Kenneth Clarke

The average waiting time in Great Britain is estimated at 26 weeks. The average at Gillingham is 38 weeks. We are urgently reviewing the position and recruiting more examiners, but improvement will take time. Meanwhile, examiners from other centres are detached to assist at Gillingham as opportunity permits.

Mr. Michael Brown

asked the Minister of Transport what is the average waiting time for driving test applications at the Scunthorpe driving test centre.

Mr. Kenneth Clarke

23 weeks. This compares with an average waiting time in Great Britain of 26 weeks and in the East Midlands of 26½ weeks. We are doing all we can to recruit more examiners and so eventually to reduce waiting periods.

Mr. Michael Brown

asked the Minister of Transport what are the pass and failure rates for driving tests at the Scunthorpe driving test centre.

Mr. Kenneth Clarke

The pass rate during the period 1 January-31 May 1979 was 51.5 per cent.

Mr. Michael Brown

asked the Minister of Transport how many people have had their driving tests cancelled at the Scunthorpe driving test centre during the last four months.

Mr. Kenneth Clarke

380 tests have been cancelled.

Mr. Lawrence

asked the Minister of Transport what is the average waiting-time for driving tests in (a) Great Britain, (b) Burton on Trent and (c) Uttoxeter.

Mr. Kenneth Clarke

The estimated average waiting time for "L" driving tests in Great Britain is 26 weeks. The average at Burton-on-Trent is 35 weeks. There is no driving test centre at Uttoxeter.

My right hon. Friend is giving priority to recruiting more examiners and other possible measures to reduce waiting times are being urgently considered.

Sir Donald Kaberry

asked the Minister of Transport what is the average waiting-time now for driving tests in the area of the Leeds metropolitan district council.

Mr. Kenneth Clarke

23 weeks.