§ Mr. Terry Davisasked the Secretary of State for Transport how often during the last 12 months candidates have been unable to keep driving test appointments in the West Midlands traffic area without giving three clear working days' notice; how often the fee has been forfeited; and how often candidates have been told incorrectly that the possibility of the fee being refunded or carried over to another appointment has been considered at the Department's headquarters.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeIt is estimated that, in the year ended 31 March 1981, some 13,800 candidates in the West Midlands traffic area failed to give three clear working days' notice of cancellation. About 13,000 forfeited their fees. Only one case is known where a candidate was308W mistakenly advised that the possibility of her fee being refunded had been considered at the Department's headquarters.
Members of Parliament do occasionally refer cases involving their constituents to my right hon. Friend and myself and I then review the decision in those cases to ensure that our policy has been followed correctly and fairly.