HC Deb 05 April 1978 vol 947 cc143-4W
Mr. Ovenden

asked the Secretary of State for Transport how many vehicles were taxed at post offices in the last 12 months for which figures are available and how many at local licensing centres; and how the costs of each transaction performed by the post office compares with the costs at licensing centres.

Mr. Horam

In the 12 months ending in November last year 14,980,000 licences were issued at post offices and 15,170,000 by local offices—in most cases at local vehicle licensing offices; in cases where a central record had not yet been set up, by local authority motor taxation offices.

Only simple renewals are dealt with by post offices; the charge is some 80 pence per transaction, excluding VAT. Local vehicle licensing offices deal with a wider range of transactions; the average cost is approximately 40 pence each.

Mr. Ovenden

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what consideration he has given to the need for local vehicle licensing centres on the present scale in the light of the establishment of the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Centre at Swansea and the facilities provided at post offices for the taxation of motor vehicles.

Mr. Horam

The network of local vehicle licensing offices was planned as an integral part of the centralisation of vehicle registration and licensing. It performs important functions best undertaken locally, and provides a wider range of services than do post offices. We do not at present envisage changes.

Mr. Ovenden

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what is the annual cost of operating the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Centre and the cost of operating the local licensing centres; and how the cost compares in real terms with the costs of the registration and licensing system before the establishment of the Swansea Centre.

Mr. Horam

In 1977–78 respective costs will be £44 million and £7.5 million. The former sum includes the cost of providing common services. No direct comparison between the costs of the new system and the old can usefully be made. The latter was failing to provide an adequate record and could not continue; in any event it dealt with fewer vehicles and drivers and not all of its costs were separately identified. Had it been expanded simply to deal with increased numbers, its costs would probably have been about the same as those of the new system.