Written question asked by Adrian Sanders (Liberal Democrat) on Tuesday, 30 January 2007, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 1 February 2007. It was answered by Lord Coaker (Labour) on Tuesday, 6 February 2007 on behalf of the Home Office.

Immobilisation of Vehicles

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what his policy is on the regulation of private clamping companies operating on private land; and if he will make a statement.

Answer: I have been asked to reply.In January 2004 the Home Office published a full Regulatory Impact Assessment entitled ““Regulations to implement the Private Security Industry Act 2001 (the 2001 Act) in respect of Door Supervisors and Vehicle Immobilisers””. This publication is available on the Security Industry Authority’s (SIA) website at:"http://www.the-sia.org.uk/NR/rdonlyres/2AE9A564-0443-4E47-AFCF-95BF8820A2B7/0/sia_ds_vi_ria.pdf."This covered individual vehicle immobilisers operating on private land where wheel-clamping is not governed by the Road Traffic Acts 1988 and 1991, as this was the scope defined by the 2001 Act. Licensing for these vehicle immobilisers has been required since February 2005. The 2001 Act does not regulate companies or their trading practices.

Secondary information