asked the Minister for the Environment the number of people who are on the waiting list for driving tests on a county-by-county basis; the average length of time a person has to wait before he can do the test; and the steps he proposes to take to rectify the situation.

At 1 February 1989, the number of applications on the waiting list for driving tests on a county-by-county basis was as indicated in a schedule which I propose to circulate in the Official Report. The average waiting period is currently 25 weeks.

I have taken the following measures to reduce the backlog:

(1) I have decided to increase the number of testers from 50 to a total of 75 by way of redeployment from within the public service. Recruitment of these additional testers is currently under way.

(2) I introduced Saturday tests in addition to the normal Monday to Friday tests.

(3) Applicants for tests must now give at least a week's notice of cancellation of a test appointment or risk forfeiture of fee. This has facilitated the allocation of cancelled appointments.

(4) I am taking steps to ensure greater harmonisation of waiting periods throughtout the country.

I intend to keep the position under review so that a satisfactory service is restored as soon as possible.

Schedule of Waiting Lists