§ Mr. Eldon Griffithsasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what consultations he had with the Police Federation before the destruction of the registration documents held by local taxation offices in respect of vehicles which have not been re-registered for more than 12 months was authorised.
§ Mr. Merlyn ReesNone, but I have explained in correspondence with the secretary of the Federation the reasons for the decision.
§ Mr. Eldon Griffithsasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what representations were made to him by the traffic and crime committees of 366W the Association of Chief Police Officers about the Government's proposal to destroy all non-computerised records of vehicles that have not been re-registered for 12 months;
(2) why, in view of police advice that the disappearance of vehicle registration records would make it more difficult to trace vehicles used in connection with crime, he agreed to proposals by the Director General of Licensing that all non-computerised records prepared at local taxation offices should be destroyed.
§ Mr. Merlyn ReesThis matter has been discussed with the Association of Chief Police Officers which has already accepted the disposal of some non-computerised vehicle records. The association is making further representations about the remainder which will be considered at a meeting between the association, my Department and the Department of Transport.