§ Mr. BeggsTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will publish the views expressed in response to the Approved Driving Instructors Review consultation paper. [178395]
§ Angela SmithPreliminary analysis of the responses indicates that there is widespread opposition from the Approved Driving Instructors industry to the proposal that registered driving instructors should undergo a driving theory test, including a hazard perception test, as part of routine supervisory arrangements.
The Driver and Vehicle Testing Agency is currently considering the responses in detail and in due course will make a recommendation to me, taking into account all relevant issues including the views of the industry.
§ Mr. BeggsTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many times(a) he and (b) other Government officials have met representatives of the Northern Ireland Approved Driving Instructors Association regarding the proposals contained in the Approved Driving Instructors Review consultation paper. [178396]
§ Angela SmithThe information requested is as follows:
(a) Ministers have not met with the Northern Ireland Approved Driving Instructors Association (NIADIA) regarding the proposals contained in the consultation paper.
964W(b) Officials from the Driver and Vehicle Testing Agency attended a meeting of the association on 16 February 2004 at which the proposals were discussed. The agency also held meetings in Cookstown, Newry, Londonderry, Belfast and Omagh in late March. These meetings were attended by approximately 300 driving instructors, many of whom were members of NIADIA or other associations. The proposals within the paper were discussed at all of these meetings. In addition, a scheduled biannual meeting between the agency and NIADIA took place on 4 May 2004.