HC Deb 04 July 1979 vol 969 cc594-5W
Mr. Wheeler

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what were the disposals in respect of those persons found guilty of motor vehicle excise licence offences and show (a) how many persons were fined and what was the average fine, (b) how many persons were ordered to pay duty into the court, (c) how many persons were given custodial sentences and at what average cost, and (d) how many persons were otherwise dealt with.

Mr. Brittan

The sentences or orders imposed following findings of guilt for motor vehicle excise licence offences in England and Wales are published annually in "Offences relating to motor vehicle"—tables 4 and 6, offence group 10, of the volume for 1977—(Cmnd. 7349). In 1977 the average fine imposed for these offences, when a fine was the most severe sentence, was £18. Cases in which a person was ordered to pay duty into the court are not recorded separately, being classified according to the most severe other disposal. Information on the cost of custodial sentences for these offences could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Mr. Wheeler

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (a) how many persons were prosecuted for criminal offences in respect of the motor vehicle excise licence, (b) how many persons were found guilty of these offences, and (c) what is the average cost of the prosecution of each motor vehicle excise licence case.

Mr. Brittan

In 1977 there were 176,545 prosecutions for motor vehicle licence offences in England and Wales, of which 161,732 led to a finding of guilt. Information on the average cost of the prosecution for these offences is not available.

Mr. Wheeler

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will estimate the saving to his Department in the event of the motor vehicle excise licence being abolished.

Mr. Whitelaw

I am not able to make any satisfactory estimate of the costs to the police and the courts of the enforcement of the present requirement, or of any savings in Home Office grants to those services that might result from its replacement.