Written Questions

Michael Penning: There are no set targets specifically for average waiting times. There is a customer service measure to answer 95% of all calls connected to the contact centre. This is a Secretary of State target. There is also an internal target to answer 70% of all calls queued to an adviser within 30 seconds. In 2011-12 the contact centre achieved 98% against the 95% target and 78% against the internal... read more »

Michael Penning: Department for Transport and Driver Vehicle and Licensing Agency (DVLA) officials liaise closely on matters relating to the release of data from the DVLA's records. The following table shows the percentage of requests for registered keeper details to pursue parking and speeding contraventions incurred in other EU member states as a proportion of all fee paying requests for keeper details. ... read more »

Michael Penning: Fixed penalty notices are criminal sanctions, usually issued by the police. My Department has not had recent discussions with local authorities specifically about these offences in relation to foreign drivers. The Department does not hold information on the value of unpaid fixed penalties for each of the last five years. Under the graduated fixed penalty and deposit scheme enforcement... read more »

Michael Penning: There are no plans to close any authorised testing facilities (ATFs) and to date no ATFs have closed. With 217 ATFs now available it is likely that the distance to a test site for hauliers has decreased. read more »

Michael Penning: There are no plans to close Portland Harbour. There are however restrictions to the use of Portland Harbour during the period of the Olympics and Paralympics. During certain competition times the harbour will be closed to marine traffic. These restrictions and closures do not extend beyond the duration of the games. read more »

Michael Penning: The current pairing arrangements-the Area Operations concept where two MRCC are technically and operationally capable of mutual support-were introduced in 2005. These arrangements are an innate aspect of current HM Coastguard operations and happen on a regular basis and therefore the Maritime and Coastguard Agency does not keep records of instances where pairing is undertaken on... read more »

Michael Penning: The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) has not specifically recorded this information. The current pairing arrangements-the area operations concept where two Maritime Rescue coordination centres are technically and operationally capable of mutual support-were introduced in 2005. These arrangements are an innate aspect of current Her Majesty's Coastguard operations and happen on... read more »

Michael Penning: Preparations have been under way since the announcement on 22 November 2011 for the closure of Clyde. Testing will be carried out prior to the closure of Clyde Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) to ensure that the Maritime and Coastguard Agency is able to maintain the same quality of search and rescue service as at present. This will include the management of Clyde MRCC's current... read more »

Michael Penning: The Maritime and Coastguard Agency has assessed on a national basis the safety risks in relation to HM Coastguard's current operation and how these are mitigated by the new structure. The MCA has also assessed the impact of the new structure on HM Coastguard's capability to deliver its national service. These assessments, as well as a location impact assessment, location rationale and... read more »

Michael Penning: The following table shows the changes in staffing levels by month during the last financial year: Month Full-time equivalents 2011 April 5,558.8 May 5,540.1 June 5,534.2 July 5,524.1 August 5,503.3 September 5,529.5 October 5,544.1 November 5,537.9 December 5,529.4 2012 January 5,499.7 February 5,483.5 ... read more »

Michael Penning: The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency has one call centre which is located in Swansea. read more »

Michael Penning: The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency call centre agents undertake an initial eight-week training programme following their induction. This consists of two weeks theory, followed by three weeks of fully monitored telephone work in the live environment. This is followed by an additional three weeks training in a dedicated coaching environment. This is in a ratio of three trainees to one... read more »

Michael Penning: holding answer 25 June 2012 No formal consideration has been given to introducing a central database to record the details of foreign registered vehicles that enter and operate in the UK. This would require consultation across Government. I do, of course, have informal discussions with my officials touching on all aspects of policy, including this. read more »

Michael Penning: For the purpose of the response we have taken "authorised testing centres" to mean authorised testing facilities (ATFs) which are privately owned testing stations. There are no plans to close any Authorised Testing Facilities (ATF) and to date no ATFs have closed. read more »

Michael Penning: For the purpose of the response we have taken “authorised testing centres” to mean authorised testing facilities (ATFs) which are privately owned testing stations. VOSA's test booking system records the test results at ATFs but is unable to distinguish the number of cancelled tests, as ATFs book testing slots with VOSA, which may contain multiple tests, rather than individual... read more »

Michael Penning: For the purpose of the response we have taken “authorised testing centres” to mean authorised testing facilities (ATFs) which are privately owned testing stations. No ATFs have closed since the introduction of these facilities in February 2010. read more »

Michael Penning: For the purpose of the response we have taken “authorised testing centres” to mean authorised testing facilities (ATFs) which are privately owned testing stations. VOSA has received one complaint about the level of service at an ATF, this was in 2012. read more »

Michael Penning: For the purpose of the response we have taken “authorised testing centres” to mean authorised testing facilities (ATFs) which are privately owned testing stations. VOSA does not record test waiting times at ATFs as management of test bookings is entirely within the control of the individual ATF. read more »

Michael Penning: The total costs allocated to VOSA Testing and Enforcement for the past five years has been: Testing £ million 2007-08 69.9 2008-09 69.8 2009-10 59.1 2010-11 52.1 2011-12 51.9 Enforcement £ million 2007-08 32.3 2008-09 44.8 2009-10 49.4 2010-11 42.3 2011-12 39.0 read more »