To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what representations his Department has received on the subject of the issuing of motor vehicles licences; if he will increase the number of post offices able to issue licences; and if he will make a statement. [2280]

Some 521 representations have been made over the past three years. The current network of 4,000 vehicle licence issuing post offices is unlikely to be extended unless it can be shown to be cost effective and does not add to the cost of collecting vehicle excise duty.