HC Deb 01 December 1976 vol 921 cc897-9
10. Mr. Mayhew

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what representations he has received from motor traders regarding the regulations which he proposes to make regarding the transfer of cherished number plates facility.

16. Mr. Ridley

asked the Secretary of State for Transport whether he will now seek to regularise the legal basis upon which the transfer of cherished number plates is carried out.

Mr. Horam

Regulations will be laid before the House very soon. This will establish a proper legal basis and accord with the main thrust of the representations which have been received, namely, that the cherished transfer facility be speedily restored.

Mr. Mayhew

Is it not the case that the new rules that were announced in a Press release from the Department the other day were forced from the Minister by a completely unlawful ban imposed by his Swansea civil servants, a ban that was blatantly political in its intent? Does not the cherished transfer facility directly stimulate sales of higher-quality new cars and, therefore, stimulate jobs? If that is so, why should the new rules utterly destroy the livelihood of those who deal in cherished numbers?

Mr. Horam

We have had consultations with the trade associations representing those who deal in personalised numbers or cherished marks, whatever one wishes to call them. They have not given us any evidence that they will suffer as a result of the new rules. There will be a change in the nature of their business. They will not carry out so much speculative purchasing of old combine harvesters or mopeds, for example, which have attractive numbers. They will, on the other hand, arrange marriages between, for example, elderly Bentleys and new Rovers. They will give advice and consultancy. They will have a rôle and a job. They have never said that that will not be so. They have played a most constructive part in finalising the new rules. with which everyone is now happy.

Mr. Ridley

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that it is intolerable that he should be led by the nose by the trade unions into promulgating what are not regulations but restrictive practices? Will he return and negotiate again? Better still, will he ask for tenders from the private sector to perform this work much more cheaply and on a more economic basis to meet the needs of the customers?

Mr. Horam

The rules are specifically designed to protect the bona fide possessor of a cherished mark or personalised number plate. All they do is eradicate certain abuses that have crept into the system over the years.

Mr. Roy Hughes

Is my right hon. Friend satisfied that a realistic fee will now be paid for this facility? Will he tell the House for how long it has been subsidised by the Department? What is the extent of the subsidy?

Mr. Horam

At present the fee is £5 plus VAT, which does not cover costs. As my hon. Friend will know, the Government took powers to increase the fee in the Finance Bill this year. Regulations subject to affirmative resolution will be laid before the House in due course to raise the fee.

Mr. Mayhew

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. I beg to give notice that, in view of the thoroughly unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I shall seek to raise the matter on the Adjournment.

Mr. Ridley

Further to that point of order, Mr. Speaker. In view of the thoroughly unsatisfactory nature of the reply to Question 16, I shall also seek to raise the matter on the Adjournment.