§ Mr. Brandon-BravoTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport to what he ascribes the pass rate of under 50 per cent. for the driving test recorded in the test organisation's report for 1986–87.
§ Mr. Peter BottomleyToo many candidates take the test too soon. If candidates took more tuition, gained more driving experience, and took heed of an honest assessment of their readiness for test from an approved driving instructor the test pass rate would rise and the queues for driving tests would shorten.
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§ Mr. Brandon-BravoTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps he is taking to ensure that the driver testing organisation is giving value for money to its customers.
§ Mr. Peter BottomleyThe recent review of the driver testing organisation and its own measures over the past year have both been directed to providing a more efficient service to customers. Since the beginning of the current financial year, it has been required to work within unit cost targets designed to improve performance. A major computerisation programme is in hand which will help contain costs and handle the high level of demand for tests. In 1986–87 the unit cost for the L-test rose by only 2.8 per cent. while the retail price index rose by 3.2 per cent. The unit cost of HGV/PSV test fell by 7 per cent. as a result of a rationalisation of the two formerly separate tests into one.
§ Mr. Brandon-BravoTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport if the annual report and accounts for the driver testing and training organisation for the last financial year are available.
§ Mr. Peter BottomleyA copy of the driver testing and training organisation's report and accounts for the financial year 1986–87 has today been placed in the Library of both Houses.