HL Deb 02 December 1996 vol 576 cc31-2WA
Earl Russell

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What estimate they have formed of the number of criminals likely to lose their driving licences under their new proposals, and what estimate they have formed of the consequent cost to the social security budget.

Baroness Blatch

The number of criminals likely to be disqualified from driving under the proposal to extend the availability of the penalty to all offences will depend on what use the courts decide to make of the new power, taking into account the circumstances of the offence and the offender before them. The scheme will be introduced by way of pilots, which will allow the cost implications to be assessed before the penalty is made nationally available.