§ Mr. McCabeTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the impact of the Vehicles (Crime) Act 2001 on recorded and actual vehicle crime; how many salvage operators have been registered under the Act; how many registrations have been rejected; and how many premises have been inspected by the police using their new powers. [114592]
§ Mr. Bob AinsworthIt is too soon to make an assessment of the impact of the Vehicles (Crime) Act 2001 on vehicle crime. The provisions of the Act, and accompanying regulations, regulating the motor salvage industry took effect only on 21 October 2002; those to control the supply of number plates on 1 January and 1 March 2003; and those to implement the Vehicle Identity Check on 7 April 2003. The information sought about registrations of motor salvage operators and inspections of premises under the Act is not available centrally at present. We are in touch with the Association of Chief Police Officers and the Local Government Association about an appropriate monitoring regime.