§ Lieut.-Colonel HOWARD-BURYasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Transport whether it would be possible next year to do away with the registration books for motor-cars, which have been proved to be not only useless in preventing the theft of motor-cars, but also a source of annoyance and worry; and is he aware that a sum of £300,000 could be saved by their abolition?
§ Colonel ASHLEYAn efficient system for the registration of mechanically-propelled vehicles is essential for many reasons. Pending the receipt of the Report of the Committee now sitting to investigate alternative methods of taxation of road vehicles, I do not think it desirable to consider any alteration in the existing machinery for taxation and registration. The figure quoted by my hon. and gallant Friend in the last part of his question represents approximately the total of the costs incurred by local authorities in the administration of the whole of the present system of taxation and registration. I am doubtful if any appreciable reduction would be effected by the abolition of the registration book.