§ Mr. CohenTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether the proposals to include the photograph of the licence holder on the driving licence involves disclosure of such photographic data to the police; whether he has given any fresh consideration to the data protection implications of the obtaining, disclosure and use of all driver information held by the driver and vehicle licensing centre; and whether he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Chope[holding answer 21 October 1991]: Police have access to the driver licensing records for law enforcement purposes under the terms of the Road Traffic Act 1988 which removes any data protection restriction on such statutory disclosure. The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency would seek the advice of the Data Protection Registrar on the disclosure of photographs on driving licences should the proposal to include photographs be implemented.