§ Earl Attleeasked Her Majesty's Government:
What is the total annual value and number of dishonoured or fraudulent credit or debit card transactions involving the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency for the last convenient period. [HL226]
§ Lord Macdonald of TradestonDishonoured or fraudulent credit/debit card transitions involving the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency in the financial year 2001–02 amounted to 127 at a value of £24,300. The total number and value of credit/debit transactions for the same period was 239,000, at almost £64 million. The transactions relate to DVLA, Great Britain; there were no similar transactions in Northern Ireland.
§ Earl Attleeasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether credit or debit card transactions present any practical difficulties for either motorists or the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency. [HL227]
§ Lord Macdonald of TradestonThe Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency is able to accept credit/debit card payments for some driver and vehicle transaction fees, sales of attractive vehicle registration marks, penalty charges and, in certain circumstances, for vehicle excise duty (VED). DVLA does not know of any practical difficulties for the motorists in using these forms of payment. The customer benefits from a speedier delivery of the service required and the agency benefits from the early settlement by electronic transfer of funds.
DVLA is seeking to extend the availability of credit card payments for VED. This move will be feasible if arrangements can be agreed for recovering the cost of credit card commission charges.