§ Angus RobertsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions when the new regulations on Road Vehicles (Display of Registration Marks) will be laid before Parliament. [27409]
§ Mr. SpellarAmendments to the Road Vehicles (Display of Registration Marks) Regulations 2001 and the Road Vehicles (Lighting) Regulations 1979 are required. The legal process will commence following completion of technical discussions with the number plate industry in the next week or so.
§ Angus RobertsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions whether(a) car number plate manufacturers can produce plates with a national identifier in the UK in accordance with the DTLR press release of 28 December and (b) vehicle owners can use such plates in advance of the new regulations being promulgated. [27410]
§ Mr. SpellarNegotiations are currently taking place with the number plate industry about specific designs in advance of an amendment to the regulations. In the meantime, manufacturers may produce number plates displaying the flags and national identifiers as announced on 28 December.
Current regulations do not allow for the display of national flags on number plates. However, in the short period before the regulations are amended the police have been requested not to prosecute those who choose to display national flags and national identifiers on vehicle number plates.