HL Deb 17 June 1993 vol 546 cc85-6WA
The Earl of Munster

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How many road accidents reported to the police involve vehicles where there is a suspicion that MoT roadworthiness certificates may be stolen, or have been issued by a Test Centre to vehicles that are unroadworthy

The Minister of State, Home Office (Earl Ferrers)

Information about the detection of such offences following road accidents is not separately identifiable in the statistics which are collected centrally. The number of convictions for fraud or forgery connected with the use of vehicle test certificates is published inOffences relating to motor vehicles, England and Wales, Supplementary tables, (Tables 5 and 7). Copies of this publication are in the Library.

The Earl of Munster

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Which agency is responsible for investigating allegations that MoT certificates are being misused; and whether the Sussex Police were prevented by the Crown Prosecution Service from investigating a recent alleged offer by a car dealer of a fraudulent certificate to accompany a used car sale, on the grounds that the police would be acting as agents provocateurs.

Earl Ferrers

The responsibility for investigating cases of misuse of MoT certificates is shared between separate enforcement agencies. The Vehicle Inspectorate, which authorities MoT testing stations, will review and, if appropriate, withdraw authorisation if a testing station issues a fraudulent MoT test certificate.

In other cases, where individuals or car dealers are involved in the fraudulent use of these certificates the police, in conjunction with trading standards officers, will investigate such matters.

I am not aware of the specific case to which the noble Earl refers, but, if he will write to me with details, I will look into the matter.