To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many requests for access to data from the UK vehicle register have been made by private companies since 1 November 2006; and how many of these requests have been turned down. (117073)

Between 1 November 2006 and 31 December 2006 we received 184,483 requests for data from private companies and from private individuals. We cannot distinguish between these groups without manual examination of the papers and therefore without incurring disproportionate costs.

Nor can we say how many requests from private companies were rejected in that period.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport which organisations have been given approved conditional access to data from the UK vehicle register. (117074)

No organisation has yet been given approved conditional access since the new measures were introduced on 1 November 2006. Any organisation wanting access to data electronically will need to become a member of an Accredited Trade Association (ATA) and to comply with that association’s code of practice that will have clear and enforceable rules governing the business, procedures of their members. The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) is currently discussing ATA status with several companies.