Mr. John Mark Taylorasked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the way in which he expects the proposed new conditions for his Department's test station authorisation will improve the safety record of the Ministry of Transport garage industry.
§ Mrs. ChalkerThe primary purpose of the new conditions of appointment is to raise the standard of the MOT test. Whilst safety is the responsibility of the garage operator under the surveillance of the Health and Safety Executive or local authority, our proposals aim to follow good practice in so far as they affect the circumstances in which testing is carried out.
Mr. John Mark Taylorasked the Secretary of State for Transport how the proposed changes to his Department's test station layout and dimensions will improve the standards of his Department's testing.
§ Mrs. ChalkerThe changes in test area requirements will contribute to an improved standard of testing by enabling the inspection to be carried out with the vehicle within the test bay, and by ensuring that the tester has adequate space to conduct the examination properly and to use the equipment.
Mr. John Mark Taylorasked the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate he has made of the number of his Department's testing facilities which will be unable to meet his proposed new requirements for test station authorisation, and may have to close.
§ Mrs. ChalkerIn view of the wide variation in the size and layout of existing testing premises, it is not possible to give an accurate figure for those which will be unable to meet the new requirements. However in view of the relaxations I propose to make, I expect the majority to be able to do so within the five-year period allowed.
Mr. John Mark Taylorasked the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to improve the training of his Department's testers.
§ Mrs. ChalkerI shall be proposing improved arrangements for training MOT testers in the future.