Abolition of Vehicle Registration Prefix (Hansard, 16 July 1986)

§ Mr. Doug Hoyle (Warrington, North)

I beg to move, That leave be given to bring in a Bill to abolish the vehicle registration prefix and to provide for a continuous series of vehicle registration numbers. My reason for the Bill is that 20 per cent. of vehicle sales in the United Kingdom are made in the month of August. Unfortunately, that places the British motoring and components industry at a great disadvantage compared with its competitors on the continent. Britain must be able to cope with the August bank holiday and the summer holidays in July. In Europe, August is a holiday month and a dead month for vehicle sales. In July, therefore, our European competitors turn the whole of their production over to right-hand vehicles, thus placing our industry at a great disadvantage.

In Europe, vehicle registration numbers are based not on the year in which the vehicle is produced but on where the owner lives. This happens in France, Italy and Germany. The vehicle's registration number remains the same as long as the person owns the vehicle. It changes only if the vehicle is sold to someone in another district. It would be of benefit to us if we moved to such a system.

I am informed that the police object to this proposed change. They claim that people recognise the prefix in the vehicle registration number and therefore criminals can be traced. That is not totally true. If it were, surely it should apply in Northern Ireland, but it does not. Registration numbers based on postal codes would overcome that difficulty. People will soon be able to recognise the new number plates.

If sales were spread over 12 months, it would prevent the laying off of workers when they return after the July holidays. If we eliminated the advantage that we give to European manufacturers who swamp the British market with their products, we could sell more British cars and components and increase employment. My aim is not to keep up with the Joneses but to provide employment for them. I do not understand why we continually give our competitors a dagger which they can thrust into the stomach of British industry.