Road Safety Bill [HL]

I am grateful for the comments of the noble Lord, Lord Hanningfield. He will recognise that the DVLA started issuing photocard licences in 1998. They are valid for a 10-year period, so the first licence will be renewed in 2008. The costs of driver services have always been covered by driver fees in accordance with the principles in the Treasury’s Fees and Charges Guide 1992. As a trading fund, the DVLA is required to promote efficiency and to ensure that, in providing its services, it provides value for money for taxpayers—including, of course, non-drivers. The current ““user pays”” principle of recouping costs from drivers for the issue of a licence and the maintenance of their driver record enables the DVLA to provide its services efficiently and without additional costs to all taxpayers. That must surely be just. Of course, the DVLA is keen to explore a range of options for financing its various driver licensing and vehicle licensing transactions. I understand the point the noble Lord, Lord Hanningfield, makes about this particular issue. The DVLA is in discussions with the Treasury, and is engaging its stakeholders in a series of workshops aimed at identifying the range of funding options, which will then be subject to public consultation. The DVLA is seeking this power so that, should all other options be found to be unacceptable, the agency will still be able to fund the renewal of the photocard, which is obviously a duty upon it. I hear what the noble Lord says. The DVLA is concerned to consult and look at the range of funding for the services which it renders. The noble Lord must recognise, however, the justice of this agency seeking to take as little as possible from the general taxpayer when, in fact, the services are provided to the driver. I hope he accepts that point.