Driving Test Examiners

HC Deb 08 February 1990 vol 166 cc782-3W

Mr. Vaz

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many female driving test examiners there are in the United Kingdom, by region; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Atkins

The information for Great Britain is as follows:

	Number
North Eastern	14
North Western	11
West Midland	10

	Number
Eastern	16
Western	9
South Eastern	11
Metropolitan	26
Scotland	6
Total	103

In addition two female examiners are instructors at the Department's driving examiner training establishment at Cardington.

Applicants for examiner posts are assessed on the basis of qualifications, relevant knowledge, experience and personal qualities. There has been a welcome recent rise in

	Tests conducted	Pass rate (percentage)
	Men	Women	Total	Men	Women	All
1980	990,631	971,403	1,962,034	53.0	41.5	47.3
1981	1,032,454	998,871	2,031,325	52.9	42.1	47.6
1982	1,028,798	976,498	2,005,296	53.1	42.9	48.1
1983	930,977	961,338	1,892,315	53.8	43.7	48.7
1984	861,712	922,400	1,784,112	54.3	44.2	49.1
1985	863,403	978,388	1,841,791	54.2	43.7	48.6
1986	930,663	1,069,075	1,999,738	54.1	43.8	48.6
1987	909,732	1,071,284	1,981,016	55.6	46.1	49.7
1988	965,144	1,107,824	2,072,968	57.9	47.2	51.7
1989	914,456	1,080,956	1,995,412	58.0	47.5	52.3

Comprehensive information is not available on candidates' pass rates on each attempt. Surveys in 1980

	First attempt	Subsequent attempts
	Men	Women	All	Men	Women	All
1980	51	37	45	55	46	50
1985	51	39	45	56	49	52