HL Deb 11 February 1975 vol 356 cc1207-8

2.58 p.m.

Lord ALLERTON

My Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.

The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Govfernment whether it is the case that a motor vehicle of the van or Land Rover type which has side windows behind the driver's seat attracts a special car tax and, if so, for what reasons.

Lord JACQUES

My Lords, a vehicle of this type is chargeable with car tax in the same way as an ordinary car would be. It is within the chargeable category because it has side windows, and the distinction between taxable and non-taxable vehicles is partly based on the presence or absence of side-windows to the rear of the driver's seat. This criterion is used in law in order to establish a borderline which is clear and unambiguous.

Lord ALLERTON

My Lords, while thanking the noble Lord for that reply, may I ask whether he has ever driven a vehicle of this type from a side road to a main road with the intention of turning to the right and, if so, whether he has been able to see traffic coming from his left? Furthermore, would it not be in the interests of road safety if that regulation was repealed?

Lord JACQUES

My Lords, the distinction between passenger vehicles and goods vehicles is based upon the established assumption that the driver of a goods vehicle depends on his mirrors but not on side windows to the rear of the driver's seat. Windows to the rear of the driver's seat are to provide light for the passengers.

The Earl of DUNDEE

My Lords, does not the Answer mean that in order to escape additional taxation, the owner of a van or a Land Rover is obliged to keep his vehicle in a much more dangerous condition than need be the case?

Lord JACQUES

My Lords, that danger is no greater than it is for the driver of any goods vehicle.

Lord LLOYD of KILGERRAN

My Lords, I apologise because I have given the noble Lord only short notice of my question, but may I ask whether his Answer is consistent with the EEC Regulations on transport?

Lord JACQUES

My Lords, I am not aware of any such Regulations. If the noble Lord will tell me what Regulations he has in mind I shall try to give him an answer.

Lord ALLERTON

My Lords, may I further ask the noble Lord whether it would not be preferable to incur loss through taxation rather than suffer a number of unnecessary accidents?

Lord JACQUES

My Lords, there is no evidence that this specific rule causes accidents.