Mr. John D. TaylorTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) what is the current waiting period to have vehicles tested at the Department of the Environment vehicle testing centre in Newtownards; and if he will make a statement;
(2) what is the present waiting period to have vehicles tested at the Department of the Environment vehicle testing centres at (a) Lisburn, (b) Downpatrick and (c) Borcher road, Belfast; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. NeedhamThe waiting periods to have vehicles tested at the Department of the Environment's vehicle testing centres at Newtownards, Lisburn, Downpatrick and Boucher road, Belfast, on 27 September 1991 were as follows:
Centre Goods Vehicle Weeks Private Cars Weeks Newtownards 5.0 6.0 Lisburn 3.5 5.0 Downpatrick 5.0 5.0 Boucher road, Belfast 3.0 4.0 The functions of the vehicle inspection and driving test branch, which carries out vehicle inspections, are due to be agentised during 1992. The Government will expect the agency to provide a good level of service to the public and will agree and monitor waiting time targets with the agency.