§ Mr. WallaceTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport to what bodies, persons, groups, companies or other organisations the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Centre in Swansea has given names and addresses of licence holders; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. AtkinsThe Driver and Vehicle Licensing Centre is required under regulation 15 of the Road Vehicles (Registration and Licensing) Regulations 1971 to release the names and addresses of vehicle keepers, who will in most cases be motor vehicle licence holders, free of charge to the police. Local authorities are given these details free for any purpose connected with the investigation of an offence. This regulation also requires the same information to be released to any person who can show reasonable cause for having it, and on payment of the prescribed fee—currently £3.50. "Reasonable cause" is not defined in law but is generally taken to mean an inquiry related to an incident involving the use of a vehicle.