HC Deb 26 June 1985 vol 81 cc417-8W
Mr. Peter Robinson

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) if he will give his best assessment of the number of civil servants involved in collecting road tax in Northern Ireland;

(2) how much revenue was raised by road tax in Northern Ireland is the financial year 1984–85;

(3) how many road fund licences were issued in the financial year 1984–85 in Northern Ireland.

Mr. Chris Patten

The information is as follows:

(1) 177, (2) £53,250,356, (3) 653,795.

Mr. Peter Robinson

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much revenue it is estimated was lost through evasion of road tax in Northern Ireland in the financial year 1984–85.

Mr. Chris Patten

It is not possible to estimate accurately the amount of revenue lost through evasion of road tax. However, my Department recovered £920,600 by way of mitigating penalties and court awards from persons detected using or keeping unlicensed vehicles during that year.