HC Deb 03 May 1994 vol 242 cc464-5W
Mrs. Dunwoody

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to his answer of 21 February,Official Report, column 81, if he will state, against each date listed, the purpose of the visit by the DVLA chief executive to his Department's headquarters.

Mr. Key

These visits all involved discussions with Ministers or senior officials on matters concerning the management of the agency.

Mrs. Dunwoody

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on when the trail of automated first registration and licensing by DVLA began; where the trial is being conducted; and what are its terms of reference, objectives, the evaluation process of the trial, the definition of what will be a successful trial and details of the implementation timetable.

Mr. Key

The automated first registration and licensing project will speed up the registration process for new cars, make significant cost savings for the motor trade and improve the quality of the DVLA vehicle record, which is vital to the police in the fight against crime. A total of 6,500 car dealers and 16 motor manufacturers are expected progressively to take advantage of the new facility from later this year onwards.

A two-stage pilot scheme has been developed to test two different methods of computer linkage between motor dealers and the DVLA system—direct connection and connection via the manufacturer's management system. The first phase will start on 23 May involving certain dealers in the Bristol area with the second scheduled for October.

The terms of reference for the pilot are to prove the technical integrity of the new system and to ensure that it delivers the required benefits to the motoring public, dealers, manufacturers, and other interests. Live operations will be carefully monitored to ensure that the systems and procedures can be implemented without compromising security or existing procedures.

Mrs. Dunwoody

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to his answer of 7 March,Official Report, column 4, if he will make a statement on how the senior management in DVLA was revised; how this had improved management of the agency; what advice and assistance was given by the consultants Price Waterhouse; and at what cost.

Mr. Key

Following a review of its management structure and operations DVLA revised its organisation into more focused executive groups, plus other changes. This has helped sharpen decision-making and reduced costs. Price Waterhouse provided expertise and advice to the agency's management, drawing on its experience of other organisations in both the public and private sectors. Its fees and expenses totalled some £72,000.