§ Mr. Barry FieldTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects to publish his proposals for driving licence tests.
§ Mr. Peter Bottomley[pursuant to his reply, 18 November 1987]: The aim of the review was to find ways of improving the driver testing service without prejudicing its integrity. I am determined to cut the queues for tests; to reduce the wastage of resources implicit in a failure rate of over 50 per cent; and to end the situation in which candidates — the customers — cannot get through to booking sections on the telephone.
The report has just been submitted. It proposes a strategy for immediate action to cut waiting times quickly and a package of longer-term measures to improve the standard of candidates coming for test and hence increase the pass rate. Provided these improvements can be delivered, I am inclined to accept the review's general conclusion that the best way forward would be to build on the current system rather than to privatise driver testing. I have accordingly asked for an action plan to be formulated as a matter of priority.
The review emphasises that too many candidates take the test too soon and fail. That lengthens the queues for everyone else. The worst 20 per cent. of candidates have virtually no chance of passing. If they delayed their tests until they were ready, queues could be halved in a year. Candidates should seek and follow their instructors' advice about whether they are ready to take the test and instructors should give firm and professional advice even where it may be unwelcome.
The review also discusses ways of providing learner drivers with a better basis on which to choose a good instructor and of encouraging all instructors to bring their performance up to the standard of the best. These are very important aspects. Good teaching produces good drivers. I am keen to move forward in these areas as quickly as possible and am consulting those concerned with a view to finalising a programme for action early in the new year which might contribute to my general goal of improving driving standards and reducing casualties.
I am placing copies of the report in the Library.