HC Deb 12 July 1979 vol 970 cc298-9W
13. Mr. Chapman

asked the Minister of Transport what effect the destruction of local authority records of vehicle ownership has had upon overall records available; and if he will estimate the number of vehicles on the road for which there is no adequate record of ownership.

Mr. Kenneth Clarke

Records were transferred from the local taxation offices to the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Centre as vehicles became due for re-licensing. If vehicles were not re-licensed their ownership could not be recorded. As the old manual records were of very little use in helping to establish current ownership, they were destroyed after consultation with the police and the Home Office. Figures of the number of unlicensed vehicles not included on the central register are of course not available.

Mr. Chapman

asked the Minister of Transport what proportion of vehicles out of the total are covered by the police computer as to their ownership; and if there are any plans to increase that proportion.

Mr. Kenneth Clarke

Responsibility for the police national computer is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Home Department. The police national computer is supplied with details of the present keeper of every vehicle registered at the DVLC save those notified as having been scrapped or whose last licence expired more than 3 years ago.