HC Deb 19 December 2002 vol 396 c928W
4. Harry Cohen

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on her policy on controlling the dumping of cars in cities. [86766]

Mr. Meacher

Statutory notice periods have been reduced so that abandoned and unlicensed vehicles can be removed from the highway more quickly. Local authorities can now use DVLA's powers to wheelclamp and remove unlicensed vehicles after 24 hours.

The 2002 Finance Act includes outline powers to create a system of continuous registration. This will make it increasingly more difficult for keepers of abandoned vehicles to evade their responsibilities.