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Dept of the Environment Transport and the Regions

Answer

Mrs. Dunwoody: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the business plan of the Driving Standards Agency concerning its future policy on test centre closures; if he will list, by region, the test centres targeted for closure; and what the timetable is for such closures. [125588] Mr. Hill: The Driving Standards Agency's Business Plan for 2000-01 announced targets for the disposal of all vacant space over a five-year period. The target for 2000-01 is a 48 per cent. reduction, which should save fee payers about £145,000 annually. Closures of individual test centres will be considered on their merits and with regard to local circumstances. The Agency has consulted on the closure of the following driving test centres in the Wales and Western Area: Pembroke Dock and Haverfordwest--rationalising at Withybush. Portsmouth--relocating to the north of the city. Minehead. Representations are currently being considered. For the future, proposals for test centre openings and closures will, as far as practicable, be considered across the group of centres serving a locality. When proposals for a locality have been developed, the Agency will consult interested parties. This strategy should provide a network of improved test centres delivering a better quality of customer service, while adapting to changes in the demand for driving tests and test requirements.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

352 c111W; 125588

Session

1999-00

Subjects

Closures Driving tests Driving Standards Agency Property transfer Standards Wales South West Business plans

Contains statistics

Yes

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk