§ Mr. McQuadeasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many vehicles are now registered in each category; how many in each category are now taxed up to date; what is his estimate of the loss of revenue per year on untaxed vehicles; what steps are being taken to reduce this loss of revenue; and how many prosecutions there have been in each of the past five years.
§ Mr. GoodhartIt is estimated that on 31 December 1979 there were 358,010 private cars, 14,860 cycles, 2,110 hackneys, 41,680 goods vehicles and 11,170 tractors registered and licensed in Northern Ireland. There were also 11,119 other vehicles which although registered are exempt from excise duty. Information on538W the current number of licensed vehicles is not available and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.
A survey conducted in Great Britain in 1977–78 revealed that between 7 per cent. and 9 per cent. of private cars were evading vehicle excise duty. This would indicate an annual revenue loss in Northern Ireland of between £1.25 and £1.75 million from private motorists. No reliable estimate is available for other categories of vehicles.
Vehicle excise offenders are normally offered the opportunity to pay a mitigated penalty but, failing the payment of this, the following number of prosecutions were initiated in each of the past five years:
1975 2,773 1976 2,962 1977 4,202 1978 3,743 1979 3,316 Measures to reduce vehicle excise evasion are being considered in consultation with the Royal Ulster Constabulary.