HL Deb 13 May 1999 vol 600 cc164-5WA
Earl Attlee

asked Her Majesty's Government:

When they expect operators of goods and passenger vehicles to be able to make statutory notifications to the licensing authority via the Internet. [HL2366]

Lord Whitty

By the end of 2000, the Government plan to complete a project to modernise the information systems supporting the work of the Traffic Commissioners, who are the licensing authorities for operators of goods and passenger vehicles. Planned improvements include providing facilities for the electronic delivery of services via the Internet.

Earl Attlee

asked Her Majesty's Government:

When they expect operators of goods and passenger vehicles to be able to license their vehicles via the Internet and what changes would be required for this to be possible. [HL2367]

Lord Whitty

There are currently no plans to enable vehicle operators to license their vehicles via the Internet. The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency plan to introduce in the autumn, a pilot telephone relicensing scheme for cars that will form the basis for future Internet services. Any electronic relicensing system will require on line access to insurance and testing information and electronic funds transfer.

Earl Attlee

asked Her Majesty's Government:

When they expect operators of goods vehicles to be able to make the notifications in accordance with the Authorisation of Special Types (General) Order via the Internet and what would be the advantages to both operators and the authorities. [HL2368]

Lord Whitty

As stated in the White PaperModernising Government, the Government are committed to electronic delivery of services. Notifications for the movement of abnormal loads made in accordance with the Authorisation of Special Types General Order are given to the highway authorities. In the case of the trunk roads, the Highways Agency is considering whether similar provisions to those already in place for the electronic notification of street works could be made for abnormal load notifications. For other classes of road, this is a matter for the highway authorities and their agents.