HC Deb 31 January 1996 vol 270 cc805-6W
Mr. Allen

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many public service vehicle operators' licences have been(a) applied for, (b) issued, (c) objected to by (i) the police, (ii) the public and (iii) others, (d) issued and (e) withdrawn by the authorities in the latest year for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement on the trends in each category in the last five years. [12869]

Mr. Norris

The information on applications, issues of licences, and withdrawals for 1994–95, the latest figures which are available, is contained in annexes 1 and 2 of the annual reports of the traffic commissioners 1 April 1994 to 31 March 1995, copies of which are available in the Library. In that year, there were five objections to licence applications, of which two came from the police, none from the public, and three from others.

Over the last five years, the number of applications and the number of licences issued have shown a slow but steady growth, punctuated, in both categories, by a sharp reduction in 1994–95. The number of objections received has remained roughly constant.

As for the number of withdrawals, 1990–91 showed a high, and the subsequent four years have produced lower, broadly similar figures.

Mr. Allen

To ask the Secretary of State for transport what computer links exist between his Department, the police, the traffic commissioners and others to cross check public service vehicle operators' applications in order to detect unsuitable applicants, with particular reference to those with a criminal record of offences against children; and if he will make a statement. [12874]

Mr. Norris

There are no computer links between the traffic area offices and the police. All applications for public service vehicle operators' licences are published in advance of the grant of a licence and circulated to the police, who have a statutory right of objection to a licence being granted on the grounds that the requirement of good repute has not been satisfied.

The applicant must declare on his application form any relevant convictions that he or any of his employees has had in the last five years. Any person who knowingly makes a false statement for the purpose of obtaining a licence is liable to a fine and the revocation or suspension of the licence.