HC Deb 05 November 1993 vol 231 cc521-2W
Ms Walley

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what checks are carried out by his staff to ensure that negative answers to question 20, relating to criminal convictions, on form PSV421 "Application for a Public Service Vehicle Operators Licence" are truthful.

Mr. Freeman

Full records of criminal convictions are not available to the traffic commissioners or traffic area offices. However, all applications for PSV operator licences are published in advance of the grant of a licence and circulated to the police, who have a statutory right to make a formal objection to a licence being granted. In some cases, checks may also be made of any records held by the vehicle inspectorate on the applicant.

Ms Walley

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what checks are carried out by his staff to ensure that negative answers to questions 17, 18 and 19, relating to financial standing, on form PSV421 "Application for a Public Service Vehicle Operators Licence" are truthful.

Mr. Freeman

In assessing the financial standing of applicants, traffic commissioners take into account a number of factors in addition to the answers to these questions. They require evidence of financial standing in the form of audited accounts, bank reference, or a statement of income and expenditure.

The applicant must sign a declaration on the form that the statements made are true. A person who knowingly makes a false statement for the purpose of obtaining a licence is liable to a fine, and the revocation, suspension or curtailment of the licence.

Names of applicants for operator licences are published in notices and proceedings. Any chief officer of police or local authority may object to the grant of a licence on the ground that the requirements of financial standing have not been satisfied. Members of the public or other operators may also make representations from their own local knowledge about the suitability of applicants. Allegations are investigated as far as is practicable.

If there is any doubt about applicants having sufficient funds, commissioners will hold a public inquiry at which they may be assisted by a financial assessor.