Written question asked by Martin Horwood (Liberal Democrat) on Monday, 8 January 2007, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 10 January 2007. It was answered by Lord Coaker (Labour) on Tuesday, 30 January 2007 on behalf of the Home Office.

Wheel Clamping

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answer of 18 December 2006, Official Report, column 1690W, on wheel clamping, what estimate he has made of the proportion of the licensable Vehicle Immobilising (VI) population in possession of a VI licence; what assessment he has made of the methodology used by the Security Industry Authority in estimating the total licensable VI population; and if he will make a statement.

Answer: The Security Industry Authority's operational experience suggests that within the vehicle immobilising industry there is a high level of compliance with the licensing requirements of the Private Security Industry Act 2001.It was estimated that there were approximately 1,200 wheel clampers working on private land in England and Wales prior to the introduction of regulation in May 2005. However, this sector of the private security industry is believed to be subject to a rate of turnover and other staffing changes of between 20 and 25 per cent. per year. The licensable sector has also been increased by the introduction of a licensing requirement for those involved in related activities such as towing away or blocking in vehicles and collecting payment. On 24 January, there were 1,508 valid VI licences. The SIA publishes full statistical details of licensable sectors on its website at:"http://www.the-sia.org.uk/home/licensing/stats_2.htm"

Secondary information