HL Deb 19 December 2001 vol 630 cc56-7WA
Lord Lipsey

asked Her Majesty's Government:

In how many cases last year passports or birth certificates went missing between being sent to the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency and being returned. [HL2032]

Lord Falconer of Thoroton

During the past financial year the number of compensation claims met as a result of a customer not having received documentation such as a passport or birth certificate returned by DVLA in support of a driving licence application were 3,474, or 0.06 per cent of the 5.4 million photocard licences issued in the same period.

Of these claims, Royal Mail (Consignia) accepted responsibility for the loss of 70 per cent and reimbursed DVLA accordingly.