HC Deb 12 January 1977 vol 923 cc1414-5
6. Mr. Peter Bottomley

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what representations he has had concerning new rules for cherished vehicle number transfers.

Mr. Horam

Various representations have been received from motor traders, dealers in registrations marks and individuals with cherished marks about the effects of the new rules. While the changes should eliminate abuses, the great majority of applicants will be unaffected by them. The operation of the new rules will be kept under close review.

Mr. Bottomley

Does the hon. Gentleman accept that all applicants will be affected by the charges? Will he confirm that the cost to the Department of transferring these number plates is in the region of £10? Allowing for a small profit of 20 per cent., does he agree that a charge of £12 would be appropriate to those who want to transfer number plates under the new rules?

Mr. Horam

No. We are intending, with the leave of the House, to charge £50 for a cherished mark transfer. That charge would give the State a comfortable profit, taking into account the costs. I think that that charge is possibly justified in this case, but I should not like to go above £50. This is not a matter exclusively for the owners of Bentleys.

Mr. Bottomley

Will the hon. Gentleman confirm that the cost to the Department is in the region of £10 and that the profit margin that the Government are now talking about will be 400 per cent.?

Mr. Horam

I am interested to have two supplementary questions on the same issue. I confirm that the costs are of the order of £15 for these transfers and that we are proposing to charge £50 from 1st March.

Mr. Carlisle

As the cost to the Department is only £15, is this not a case of the Government grossly abusing their monopoly position to make a monstrous charge?

Mr. Nicholas Winterton

Just say "Yes".

Mr. Horam

No. In my view, the charge will discourage frivolous claims while not penalising the bona fide possessor of a personalised number plate. If the hon. and learned Gentleman reads the back pages of the Sunday Times, he will see that the cost of these number plates is very often up to —1,500. Indeed, they have been known to retail for as much as —10,000. What is —50 in relation to that?