§ Adam PriceTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what action is being taken to tackle illegal car number plate duplication. [79754]
§ Mr. JamiesonWe are taking active and immediate steps to tackle this difficult problem. The Vehicles (Crime) Act 2001 contains measures to require all number plates suppliers in England and Wales to register with the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA). This requirement will come into force on 1 January 2003 and will ensure that in future number plates are only sold by registered suppliers to a purchaser who can show proof of entitlement to that158W registration mark and proof of their own identity. Records will be kept of all sales for inspection by police or local authority trading standards officers.
Since September 2001 all number plates issued have had to display the name and postcode of the supplying outlet.