§ Mr. D. E. Thomasasked the Secretary of State for Transport (1) how many driving test examiners in the United Kingdom are able to hold examinations in languages other than English; and whether he will list those languages and the locations of the examiners;
(2) how many driving test examiners in Wales are able to provide examinations in Welsh as well as in English;
(3) what delay, if any, takes place for applicants for driving test examinations who indicate on their application forms that they wish the examination to take place in languages other than English.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeFive driving examiners in Wales conduct tests in Welsh or English. One Welshspeaking examiner works from each of the driving test centres at Bangor, Haverfordwest and Mold and two such examiners work from Ammanford. There is no reason why a request for a Welsh-speaking examiner should delay a driving test.
Driving examiners in Great Britain may conduct tests in English or Welsh—(if they can speak Welsh fluently)—but not in any other language. However, a candidate may be accompanied by an interpreter during his driving test, provided that the interpreter is not his instructor.