§ Mr. Forresterasked the Secretary of State for Transport if his Department has made arrangements for driving tests in Stoke-on-Trent to be held after a shorter waiting time if they are organised through particular driving schools than the normal waiting time for direct applicants for tests.
§ Mrs. ChalkerNo.
§ Mr. Forresterasked the Secretary of State for Transport what steps are being taken to reduce the waiting time for driving tests in Stoke-on-Trent; and when an improvement can be expected.
§ Mrs. ChalkerMy Department is recruiting extra examiners. Some are due to be posted to Stoke-on-Trent. This should bring about an improvement in waiting times early in the new year. Examiners are also posted in temporarily from other centres to even out waiting periods throughout the traffic area.
§ Mr. Forresterasked the Secretary of State for Transport what is the average waiting time for driving tests in England; and what are the minimum and maximum waiting times in Stoke-on-Trent.
§ Mrs. ChalkerThe average waiting time for an L-test in England and Wales on 9 November, the latest date for which figures are available, was 18½ weeks. Waiting times at that date at centres serving Stoke-on-Trent were: Fenton, 20 weeks; Cobridge, 20 weeks; and Newcastle-under-Lyme, 28 weeks. This compares with an average wait in the west midlands of some 20 weeks. I am not satisfied with these waiting times, and the current recruitment of further staff will help to reduce them.