MOLE Valley's MP is championing a scheme which he says will protect smaller post offices and photography businesses.
Last week the Government renewed the Post Office's licence to provide front counter services for the DVLA.
But the DVLA's insistence on receiving photos in a digital format is threatening both photography firms – like photo booth manufacturer Photo-Me in Bookham – and smaller sub-post offices, according to Sir Paul Beresford. He said: "Once the DVLA system is working, the same system will be used for other Government identification, like passports, so it's hugely important for my post office and everyone else's post offices."
Since the initial DVLA contract was awarded by Labour in 2009, 750 Post Office branches have installed Cogent digital photo machines – costing £56,000 each – which allow staff to take digital ID photos and send them straight to the DVLA.
The DVLA has proposed also allowing photographic companies to send photographs directly to the DVLA, but this could threaten jobs at smaller post offices without the Cogent equipment.
Firms including Photo-Me, backed by Sir Paul, have instead suggested the Post Office should buy scanners costing £650 which could scan and digitally transmit hard copies of customers' pictures taken at photo booths and photography studios.
Sir Paul said: "It should be infinitely cheaper and have a wide spread, to the benefit of the post offices and the benefit of local residents because they won't have to traipse off to Guildford, which is the nearest centre (with a Cogent machine)."
Sir Paul led a debate at the Commons on November 13 to promote the plan, which he believes could be rolled out at about 11,800 branches.
Concerns have been raised by the DVLA that this could make it easier for people to edit ID photos, but Sir Paul believes that problem can be solved by the right security measures.
Sir Paul has arranged a meeting between photo industry professionals and the DVLA, while he will meet separately with the Minister of State for Transport, Simon Burns.
