HC Deb 16 May 1996 vol 277 c520W
Mrs. Dunwoody

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what criteria were used in the decision not to locate a driving theory test centre in Crewe; [29534]

(2) what criteria were used when deciding the location of the proposed driving theory test centre. [29533]

Mr. Norris

The criteria for locating theory test centres across Great Britain were decided 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. They are that 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 fewer than 100 persons per km; within 20 miles in other districts where population density lies between these limits.

On this basis, it was decided not to locate a theory test centre in Crewe.