HC Deb 19 October 1999 vol 336 cc497-8W
Mrs. Curtis-Thomas

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to make the carrying of driving licences compulsory while individuals are driving. [94506]

Mr. Hill

This is being considered by the Vehicle Crime Reduction Action Team (VCRAT), formed by the Government last year to develop a strategy to reduce vehicle crime by 30 per cent. by March 2004. VCRAT concluded that the case for requiring drivers to carry their licences has not yet been made, but my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary indicated within the foreword to the VCRAT Strategy report that he will want to look at that issue again in the light of developing technology and further assessment of the potential wider crime reduction benefits. A copy of the report, published on 22 September 1999, is in the Library of the House.