§ Mrs. DunwoodyTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the role of the DSA's service in the national network of driving test centres.
§ Mr. KeyResponsibility for the subject of this question has been delegated to the Driving Standards Agency under its chief executive Dr. S. J. Ford. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.
Letter from S. J. Ford to Mrs. Gwyneth Dunwoody, dated 7 July 1994:
The Secretary of State has asked the Chief Executive to reply to the questions you asked about the role of DSA's service in the national network of driving test centres.The primary aim of the Driving Standards Agency is to promote road safety by testing drivers and driving instructors fairly and efficiently. In pursuing this aim the Agency is expected to improve the efficiency and effectiveness with which it carries out the statutory functions of the Secretary of State for Transport in connection with driver testing. Driving tests are delivered through a network of driving test centres in Great Britain. The Agency aims to furnish a high quality of service to its customers. Ministers have confirmed that the preservation of the national network of centres is an important part of DSA's service, although a balance has to be struck between the cost of maintaining this network and the fees charged for tests.