§ Mr. Tony Banksasked the Secretary of State for Transport what is his estimate of the total amount of revenue lost in each year since 1979 because of vehicle excise duty evasion.
§ Mr. Peter BottomleyA comprehensive survey carried out by the Department in 1984 assessed the gross revenue loss through vehicle excise duty evasion in Great Britain to be about 4 per cent. of that due. No comprehensive surveys were undertaken between 1979 and 1984. Based on an assumed 4 per cent. evasion rate the loss of revenue in each financial year from 1979–80 would have been:
VED—Great Britain Only Gross revenue collected £ million Estimate loss from evasion £ million 1979–80 1,136 47 1980–81 1,333 56 1981–82 1,582 66 1982–83 1,799 75 1983–84 1,951 81 1984–85 2,213 92 1985–86 2,370 99 1986–87 12,505 104 1 Estimate.