HC Deb 21 May 1996 vol 278 cc134-7W
Mr. Keith Hill

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what opinion surveys were commissioned by his Department to test public support for plastic photocard driving licences; and what were the results. [29984]

Mr. Norris

A preliminary public consultation during 1991 showed strong support for including photographs on driving licences. Subsequent public consultation in 1994 confirmed the earlier support.

Mr. Hill

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to his Department's press notice of 10 April, Reference 110, how he measures the benefits in terms of establishing identity from the introduction of plastic photocard driving licences. [29982]

Mr. Norris

Introduction of plastic photocard licences will, among other benefits, reduce the possibility that lost or stolen licences may be used to support a false identity—for example, when taking a driving test or hiring a vehicle.

Mr. Hill

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the impact on the levels of fraud of the introduction of plastic photocard driving licences. [29983]

Mr. Norris

We intend to introduce stringent checking procedures which will make it extremely difficult to obtain a photocard driving licence fraudulently. The card format will incorporate a number of security features designed to prevent counterfeiting.

Mr. Cohen

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what are his plans to increase the reliability of identification procedures for the issuing of driving licences; whether these plans involve the taking of fingerprints or any other biometric measures; if access to personal data held by the Government Departments is involved; and what additional data items, not related to driving licences, are being considered to be included in space on the licence allocated to member states for their own purposes. [30048]

Mr. Norris

The checks on the identity of applicants for photocard driving licences are being considered in the light of the best practices of the Passport Agency. These do not include fingerprints or biometric measures.

Access to personal information will be regulated under the provision of the Data Protection Act.

EU legislation allows member states to include additional information on the driving licence and designates an area on the licence for that purpose. No decision has yet been made on what it will contain.