§ Mr. Pawseyasked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will investigate the reasons why a constituent of the hon. Member for Rugby and Kenilworth, Anita Jane Garbutt, who applied approximately eight weeks ago for a provisional licence for a scooter has not so far received such licence; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mrs. ChalkerThe reasons for the delay in the issue of a licence to Anita Jane Garbutt are being investigated. I shall write to my hon. Friend with the full facts as soon as they are available.
I apologise for the inconvenience caused to Miss Garbutt, but I am pleased to say her licence was sent to her on 4 May I hope it has arrived safely.
§ Mr. Pawseyasked the Secretary of State for Transport what is the average length of time taken to issue a provisional scooter licence.
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§ Mrs. ChalkerIn the six months up to April 1984, 91 per cent. of first provisional licences were issued within 10 working days of applications being received.
§ Mr. Pawseyasked the Secretary of State for Transport what steps he is taking, in the light of the case of Anita Jane Garbutt, a constituent of the hon. Member for Rugby and Kenilworth, to improve the efficiency with which licences are issued; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mrs. ChalkerIn general, I am satisfied that, within the constraints of what is now an "old-fashioned" batch processing system, the driver and vehicle licensing centre deals with licence applications very efficiently. My hon. Friend's constituent's problems were primarily the result of human error. I regret this, but I am afraid such errors cannot be eliminated entirely.