Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency

HC Deb 16 October 1996 vol 282 cc965-6W

Mr. Alex Carlile

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the level of(a) security and (b) accuracy of the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency's computer database. [40432]

Mr. Bowis

The Driver and Licensing Agency has a computer database security policy which meets Government requirements. The controls in place fully recognise the sensitivities of the date held.

The agency meets its targets of between 96 per cent. and 98 per cent. accuracy of data input to the driver and vehicle registers.

The principal cause of inaccuracy in the DVLA databases is the failure of those who change their name or address, or buy or sell vehicles, to notify the agency promptly. New and improved vehicle registration procedures to be introduced in 1997 will require the buyer and seller to notify DVLA at the same time on the same form.