asked the Minister of Transport what is the time delay currently existing at the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Centre, Swansea, between submission and return of change of ownership registration forms; if he is satisfied with this; and if he will make a statement.

The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Centre issues over 1 million registration documents each month, most of them when vehicles have changed hands. 95 per cent. are normally sent out to the new keepers within 10 days of receiving the old documents. Documents were held up as a result of external industrial action by maintenance workers in September, which affected the centre. The position was restored to normal in November. Ways of improving performance are continually being sought.