To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate he has made of the number of companies offering vehicle clamping services on private land to individuals and businesses. (284162)

[holding answer 3 July 2009]: The Security Industry Authority estimates that there are between 100 and 200 businesses in this sector.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment his Department has made of the merits of regulating the activity of companies offering vehicle-clamping sources on private land in the same manner as the regulation by local authorities of parking companies. (284163)

[holding answer 3 July 2009]: The Home Office launched a public consultation on 30 April 2009 on proposals for regulation of vehicle immobilisation businesses. The consultation document can be found at:

http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/documents/cons-2009-vehicle-immobilisation/

Many local authorities employ contractors to carry out enforcement of on-street parking regulations but they do not in that context regulate the businesses themselves.