HC Deb 18 January 1993 vol 217 c67W
Mr. Tony Banks

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will allow local authorities to have direct access to computer records at the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency offices in connection with the removal of abandoned vehicles.

Mr. Kenneth Carlisle

Direct access to the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency's computer records raised important questions of data protection and security of personal information, as well as cost. There are no plans at present to offer this service to local authorities.

Mr. Tony Banks

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is the average time taken at the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency office in Swansea to process VQ4 requests from local authorities for details of abandoned vehicles; and what is the current number of outstanding VQ4 requests.

Mr. Kenneth Carlisle

The average time taken by DVLA to process postal VQ4 inquiries is eight working days. Enquiries received on magnetic tape are replied to within four days. There is currently no backlog.