§ 14. Mr. Gwilym Robertsasked the Minister of Transport if he will now introduce legislation to make it compulsory for cars to be insured automatically at the same time and in the same office as they are taxed.
§ Mr. MurrayNo, Sir. There would be no advantage, and several practical disadvantages, in my hon. Friend's suggestion.
§ Mr. RobertsDoes not my hon. Friend accept that it is time to move in that direction? Both taxation and third-party insurance are compulsory, and there seems no logical reason why they should not be carried out in the same office. It would reduce the uncertainties of the present insurance situation, reduce the number of staff involved, and make the whole thing much simpler. Does not my hon. Friend accept that it would be welcomed by motorists generally, and by the insurance companies, judging by the small profit margin that they claim exists on motor insurance?
§ Mr. MurrayI am not certain about all that. The first practical difficulty is that vehicle excise duty is standard according to the class of vehicle, while insurance premiums vary considerably with the driver concerned.