Regulation of Investigatory Powers (Communications Data) (Additional Functions and Amendment) Order 2006

The Driving Standards Agency is an executive agency of the Department for Transport. The DSA’s primary aim is to promote driving safety in Great Britain by improving driving standards, in particular by testing drivers and driving instructors fairly and efficiently. The agency’s main responsibilities are to promote road safety by influencing driver behaviour through setting the standard for safe drivers and trainers and educational matters of that sort. The driving test system is designed to ensure that only those who have demonstrated competence can drive unaccompanied on public roads. That system is being systematically targeted by serious organised criminals who obtain driving test pass certificates through candidate-impersonation fraud. As a result, people who have not demonstrated the necessary level of competence can obtain those certificates and full driving licences. That clearly places the public at substantial risk. The DCA needs to use surveillance to lawfully gather and secure evidence to support prosecutions in order to disrupt the activities of those involved in this fraud, maintain the integrity of the driving test and improve road safety. Statistics show a threefold increase in offences reported to the agency over the last three years. During the first three months of 2006, reports to the DSA of suspected test impersonation fraud have increased by 20 per cent. I have an enormous number of further and better particulars, which I am sure I could delight the House with ad nauseam, but if there are other issues I wonder whether the noble Lord would be minded to write to me, and I could delight him alone.