§ Mr. Nichollsasked the Secretary of State for Transport how many prosecutions have been brought by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Centre in 1984 and the preceding five years for (a) keeping a motor vehicle on the road 82W without it being taxed and (b) failing to display a valid tax disc; how many of the prosecutions arose from returns made to the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Centre by police officers or traffic wardens of vehicles on the road apparently untaxed; what is the average period of time between such returns being made and the summons being issued; if he is satisfied with the efficiency of the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Centre proceedings; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mrs. ChalkerResponsibility for prosecuting vehicle excise duty evaders is shared between my Department and the police. The number of prosecutions over this period were:
Number 1979 107,000 1980 135,000 1981 117,000 1982 103,000 1983 158,000 *1984 83,000 * To June Almost all prosecutions arise from reports from the police and traffic wardens. The time taken to deal with them varies with the circumstances; in general, it is between two and six months. This period includes the court hearing.
Enforcing the requirement to display a tax disc is a matter for the police in which DVLC is not involved.
I am encouraged by the progress made by the centre in tackling evasion. In addition to those prosecuted, there has been a marked increase in the number of evaders who settle out of court by paying penalties. Revenue from enforcement increased by over 50 per cent. in 1983 and there has been a further increase of 32 per cent. so far in 1984. We are always looking for ways of improving performance.