HC Deb 09 January 1996 vol 269 cc45-6W
Mr. Allen

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to ensure that the public service vehicle licence is not issued until checks have been made against criminal records. [7629]

Mr. Norris

Public service vehicle operators' licences are not granted unless traffic commissioners are satisfied that the applicant meets the requirements of good repute. The applicant must declare any relevant convictions that he or any of his employees has had in the last five years. The names of all applicants for PSV operator licences are published in "Notices and Proceedings" in advance of the grant of a licence and circulated to the police, who have a statutory right to make a formal objection to a licence being granted.

The Department is currently exploring ways in which the exchange of information with the police and the courts might be further enhanced.

Mr. Allen

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps he proposes to take to ensure that school bus drivers who apply for PSV licences have their applications checked to ensure they have no previous convictions for offences against children; and if he will make a statement. [7703]

Mr. Norris

Traffic commissioners, who are appointed by the Secretary of State, have responsibility for determining whether an applicant for a PSV driver's licence is a fit person to hold such a licence, and may require an applicant to provide such information as he may request. Applicants must declare on their applications any previous convictions for both driving and non-driving offences. If a relevant conviction is proved to exist, traffic commissioners may take action to withhold or withdraw a driver's entitlement to hold a PSV licence.

Mr. Allen

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will ensure that traffic commissioners can check the names of applicants for operators' licences against a central criminal database. [7631]

Mr. Norris

The names of applicants for goods vehicle and public service vehicle operator licences are listed by the traffic area offices in the publications, "Applications and Decisions" and "Notifications and Proceedings", which are published fortnightly. Copies are sent to statutory objectors, including the police, to check the details of applicants for operator licences against their records. Our longer-term aim is the development of a common database for operators and drivers for enforcement and licensing purposes, and which will provide links to enable traffic commissioners to receive information from other sources relevant to their licensing and discipline decisions.