§ Mr. KidneyTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will halt the closure of the Driver Test Centre in Stafford. [44976]
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§ Ms Glenda JacksonThe landlord of the premises where the current test centre is located has the normal contractual freedom whether or not to grant the Agency a replacement lease and has refused to accede to the Agency's request to do so in this case.
§ Mr. KidneyTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will require the Driving Standards Agency to make provision for an alternative test centre in Stafford before closing the existing test centre. [44977]
§ Ms Glenda JacksonThe Driving Standards Agency is keen to retain a testing presence within Stafford and is searching for suitable accommodation in the town. Since receiving notice from the Ordinance Survey of their intention to end the lease on the premises in Wolverhampton Road, ten properties have been considered but none was suitable. The Agency has been unable to renegotiate a short-term lease for the current centre whilst alternative premises are sought.
§ Mr. KidneyTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what factors determined the length of notice the Ordnance Survey gave the Driving Standards Agency of its intention to vacate its premises on Wolverhampton Road, Stafford. [44975]
§ Ms Glenda JacksonThe Ordnance Survey first notified the Driving Standards Agency of their decision to vacate the offices of Wolverhampton Road, Stafford, in November 1996, in accordance with Government guidelines that require a minimum of 12 months notice to be given. Ordnance Survey no longer need this office, which they vacated on 12 December 1997, and have arranged to terminate their lease on 23 June 1998.