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Proceeding contribution from Mike Penning (Conservative) in the House of Commons on Tuesday, 18 January 2011. It occurred during Adjournment debate on Arbroath and Forfar Driving Test Centres.


Arbroath and Forfar Driving Test Centres

I reiterate the earlier comments I made when you took the Chair, Mr Chope: it is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship. I congratulate the hon. Member for Angus (Mr Weir). He is doing exactly what I would do if I were a Back Bencher—standing up for his community. Let us agree on some things from the start. If the waiting list is 10 to 12 weeks—I take the hon. Gentleman's word that that is the case—the centres will not close until they are within the guidelines, which is six weeks. Pre-bookings are an issue. People can pre-book in bulk, which causes a problem. The hon. Gentleman said that there were bookings into March. There will be pre-bookings in cases when instructors can predict that their pupils are likely to be able to take the test at that time. That is why there are pre-bookings. It happens around the country—it happened when my daughter was doing her test just 18 months ago. There is an issue relating to consultation. However, I must say that I have inherited the Driving Standards Agency code of practice that his Government put into place.


Secondary information

Type
Proceeding contribution
Reference
521 c240WH 
Session
2010-12
Chamber / Committee
Westminster Hall
Subjects
Closures Facilities Driving tests Driving Standards Agency Location Standards Waiting lists Angus
Link
View this Proceeding contribution on www.publications.parliament.uk