§ Mr. MaddenTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport when the application for a heavy goods vehicle licence from Mr. George West, ref. VDL/H/CC, was received by the DVLA at Swansea; when the licence is going to be issued; and if he will make a statement explaining the reasons for the delay in issuing this licence.
§ Mr. ChopeI regret that, without Mr. West's date of birth, Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency—DVLA— officials are unable to investigate Mr. West's case. The agency has more than 40 million driver records, and these are held under unique numbers made up from the driver's name and date of birth. The agency deals with up to 40,000 driving licence applications each day.
I have written to the hon. Member requesting the information which DVLA will need to identify Mr. West's application; and I will write to him again when my inquiries are complete.