Written question asked by Martin Horwood (Liberal Democrat) on Thursday, 7 December 2006, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 11 December 2006. It was answered by Lord Coaker (Labour) on Monday, 18 December 2006 on behalf of the Home Office.

Wheel Clamping

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent estimate he has made of the number of individuals (including operators and managers) (a) operating as wheel clampers and (b) holding a valid Security Industry Authority vehicle immobiliser’s licence; and if he will make a statement.

Answer: The information is as follows:"(a) The SIA’s estimates, based on the best available information, suggested the total licensable Vehicle Immobilising (VI) population to be 1,200. The SIA publishes full statistical details of licensable sectors on its website at""http://www.the-sia.org.uk/home/licensing/stats_2.htm.""(b) As of 6 December the SIA had received 2,366 applications for VI licences. 1,928 licences have been granted and 119 refused. The number of granted licences also includes renewals."

Secondary information