§ Mr. Jim Spicerasked the Secretary of State for Transport what are the relative costs for the issuing of a vehicle licence (a) through the Motor Vehicle Licensing Centre at Swansea, (b) at main post offices and (c) at sub-post offices.
§ Mrs. ChalkerThe nature of the work done by the Post Office, under agency arrangements, is very different from that at my Department's offices. Simple licence renewal work is handled almost exclusively by the Post Office; all first licensing and complicated renewals by my Department's 54 Local Vehicle Licensing Offices. No useful comparisons can be made between the costs of transactions at these outlets and at the Post Office. No motor vehicle licences are issued from the vehicle licensing centre at Swansea.
The current estimated cost to my Department of a vehicle licence renewal transaction handled by the Post Office is £1.17.
The Post Office charges to my Department are based on the average cost of issuing licences in the network of main and sub-post offices which handle this work; these charges are continually being reviewed with the Post Office. However detailed costings are a matter for the Post Office Board.