§ Mrs. Curtis-ThomasTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if the consultative process used for the closure of driving test centres involves seeking the approval of(a) the Chief Executive of the Driving Standards Agency and (b) a Minister for the closure proposal before other interested parties are consulted. [111695]
§ Mr. HillThe consultative process currently used by the Driving Standards Agency when the closure of a driving test centre is being considered involves seeking the approval of the Agency's Chief Executive and the Minister to consult about the proposed closure. Then other interested parties are consulted. A final decision has to be approved by the Chief Executive and the Minister, taking into account the results of the consultation. Consultation before closure is not always possible, for instance when a test centre has to be closed at short notice for health and safety or operational reasons.
§ Mr. LivseyTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what is the maximum round trip distance that driving test candidates are expected to travel to a driving test centre in an area of 23 persons per square kilometre. [111102]
§ Mr. Hill[holding answer 22 February 2000]: The guideline currently operated by the Driving Standards Agency is that in areas with a population density of less than 100 persons per square kilometre, candidates should not have to travel more than 30 miles to a practical driving test centre.