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Northern Ireland Office

Answer

Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many (a) MOT tests and (b) driving tests were (i) cancelled and (ii) rescheduled as a result of strike action by civil servants in Northern Ireland; how many of these tests have been cancelled or rescheduled since the resolution of the pay dispute; and what steps he is taking to return these services to their pre-strike levels. [198292] Angela Smith: The Driver and Vehicle Testing Agency cancelled 67,737 vehicle tests and 9,721 practical driving tests as a result of industrial action from 17 May to 11 August 2004. All of these tests were subsequently rescheduled. No tests have been cancelled or rescheduled by the agency as a direct result of industrial action since the end of the pay dispute. The agency is working to restore normal services as soon as possible. Steps being taken include: the recruitment of additional staff, operational from 1 November 2004; the introduction from 1 October of a more efficient booking programme; and additional overtime working. Certificates of temporary exemption are being issued for most vehicle test categories where appointments cannot be offered within 21 days. These allow vehicles to be taxed and driven legally on the road until they can be tested.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

198292; 426 c1764-5W;426 c1768-9W

Session

2003-04

Subjects

Civil servants Industrial disputes Driving tests Motor vehicles Northern Ireland Testing

Contains statistics

Yes

Link

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