Driving Theory Test Centre, Doncaster (Hansard, 21 June 1996)

§ Sir Harold Walker
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will review the application of the service specification in order to institute a driving theory test centre for Doncaster. [33638]

§ Mr. Norris
Proposals for theory test centres in the Doncaster area comply with the service specification for the theory test service delivery contract. I believe that the announced plans reflect a realistic balance between cost, the travelling distances to centres for candidates, and the frequency at which test sessions would be available.
For an additional test centre to be sited in the Doncaster area, a robust case would need to demonstrate that special circumstances or difficulties applied in the case of this area.
650W

§ Sir Harold Walker
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what population figures and densities he has used for the towns of(a) Doncaster, (b) Southport and (c) Scunthorpe in deciding that Doncaster should be treated differently from (b) and (c) in respect of driving theory tests. [33637]

§ Mr. Norris
The population figures used in determining the network of driving theory test centres were taken from table 15.1 of a Central Statistical Office publication "Regional Trends—1994" published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office. The figures for the districts in which the following towns are located are:

(a) Doncaster—population density 505 persons per sq. km. Candidates should be within a 20-mile radius of the nearest theory test centre;

(b) Southport—population density 1,929 persons per sq. km. Candidates should be within a five-mile radius of the nearest theory test centre; and

(c) Scunthorpe—population density 1,836 persons per sq. km. Candidates should be within a five-mile radius of the nearest theory test centre.

The criteria used for located driving theory test centres are set out in my reply today to the right hon. Member, Ref. 33639.

§ Sir Harold Walker
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what criteria he used to determine that residents of Doncaster, Central should travel to Scunthorpe or Sheffield for driving theory tests; [33639]
(2) what distances he has used between Doncaster and Scunthorpe and Doncaster and Sheffield to determine that Doncaster should not have a driving theory test centre. [33640]

§ Mr. Norris
The criteria for locating theory test centres across Great Britain were determined in order to give a balance between costs, the travelling distances to centres for candidates and the frequency with which test sessions would be available.
Theory tests will be available:

within five miles in districts—usually towns or cities—with population density of greater than or equal to 1,250 persons per sq. km;

within 40 miles in sparsely populated districts with a population density of less than 100 person per sq. km;

within 20 miles in other districts where population density lies between these limits.

Doncaster lies in a district in the third category and within a 20-mile radius of both Sheffield and Scunthorpe driving theory test centre.