HC Deb 27 January 2000 vol 343 cc277-8W
Mr. Dismore

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the advantages and disadvantages of allowing applicants for driving licences to present alternative forms of identification from those currently required; and if he will make a statement. [106680]

Mr. Hill

The documents required in support of a photocard driving licence application have been agreed by the Ministerial Group on Welfare Reform. The requirements are the same for all driving licence applicants and are in line with Government policy on combating welfare fraud. To accept alternative documents from certain applicants would mean different standards of identity checking and a two-tier system.

A more flexible arrangement to assist individuals whose cases are under consideration by the Immigration and Nationality Department of the Home Office is being looked into as a temporary measure.

Mr. Dismore

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assistance is offered to applicants for driving licences who are awaiting the issue of travel documents or naturalisation papers by the Home Office, in proving their identity for the purpose of obtaining driving licences; and if he will make a statement. [106683]

Mr. Hill

Driving licence applicants who are awaiting the issue of travel documents or naturalisation papers by the Home Office are advised to contact the Home Office to ask for confirmation of details to be provided for driving licence application purposes.

Mr. Dismore

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what arrangements are in place to assist applicants for driving licences who cannot produce the original documents required to prove their identity, due to these being (a) held, and (b) not yet issued by the Immigration and Nationality Department for immigration or nationality purposes; and if he will make a statement. [106684]

Mr. Hill

Driving licence applicants whose documents are being held or not yet issued by the Immigration and Nationality Department are advised to contact that Department to ask for confirmation of details to be provided for driving licence application purposes.

Mr. Dismore

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many applications for driving licences were not proceeded with in the last year for which figures are available because the applicant was unable to produce the necessary identification on the grounds that it was(a) being held and (b) had not been issued by the Immigration and Nationality Department; and if he will made a statement. [106682]

Mr. Hill

Since August 1999, following Home Office advice on evidence of identity some 7,500 photocard driving licence applications have been rejected because the applicant was unable to produce the necessary identification on the grounds that(a) it was being held or (b) had not been issued by the Home Office. It should be noted that those persons included in (b) may never become eligible for the issue of a necessary identity document by the Home Office.