§ Mr. David NicholsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what measures he has taken since 1990 to increase the number of post offices contracted with the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency for vehicle relicensing services; what measure he takes to ensure that the DVLA's estimates of costs in adding post offices to its contracted network are reasonable and accurate; and if he will make a statement. [38952]
§ Mr. NorrisThe question of adding offices to the vehicle relicensing network and the cost forms part of the contractual arrangements between the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency and Post Office Counters Ltd. These are currently under review as part of negotiations to agree a new contract. Since the last contract was let in 1989, some 400 offices have been added to the network. The current network of 4,000 vehicle relicensing post offices will be extended only if it can be shown to be cost-effective and does not merely add to the cost of collecting vehicle excise duty.