§ Miss. Emma NicholsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is the present position concerning the computerisation of the vehicle licensing system.
§ Mr. Peter BottomleyVehicles licensed for use on the public road in Great Britain have to be registered on the computer at the driver and vehicle licensing centre. Computerisation there began in 1974 with new vehicles and was gradually extended to older vehicles as they were relicensed or re-registered. Since November 1983 registration marks of older vehicles not on the computer record have only been added in exceptional circumstances. These vehicles are usually given alternative numbers whose history cannot be disputed.