§ Mr. Greg KnightTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the(a) objectives and (b) terms of reference are of the Modernisation of Vehicle Registration Implementation Board; what their programme of work is; and what provisions are in place to ensure wide consultation before decisions or recommendations are made. [115371]
§ Mr. SpellarThe Modernising Vehicle Registration Implementation Board was set up to carry forward the proposals made by the Jill Dando Institute of Crime Science report on modernising the vehicle registration 947W system. The Board is driving forward a programme aimed at reducing vehicle crime and enhancing compliance with road traffic law in the UK.
The Board have advised on a package of improvements to tackle car crime, reduce car dumping and ensure that every vehicle has a traceable keeper. As a consequence of the Board's advice, a range of proposals were announced by my hon. Friend, the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (David Jamieson) today that will significantly tighten the registration and licensing system, and make it much easier to deter and detect motorists who fail to insure or tax their vehicle. It will also be easier to trace the keepers of abandoned vehicles. The measures announced include; the registered keepers of vehicles remaining legally responsible at all times for taxing their vehicle, offenders will be penalised from the record when their tax-disc expires or Statutory Off-Road Notification lapses. Those that fail to comply will face a new automatic £80 penalty. Determined offenders could face a minimum £1,000 fine if taken to court.
The Government intend to consult on the secondary legislation that it plans to bring forward to implement these proposals. A wide range of stakeholders have already been consulted on these new measures and further consultation will take place as future initiatives are considered by the Board.
§ Mr. Greg KnightTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much has been raised in each of the past five years by the DVLA from the sale and auction of cherished registration numbers. [115372]
§ Mr. SpellarOver the past five years, the scheme has raised, net and (gross):
£ million Year Telesales Auctions Total 1998–99 31 (46) 15(18) 46 (64) 1999–2000 34 (50) 13 (16) 47 (66) 2000–01 43 (63) 13(15) 56 (78) 2001–02 47 (69) 17(21) 64 (90) 2002–03 53 (81) 20.5 (26) 73.5 (107) Since its inception in 1989, the scheme has raised over £720 million gross for the Exchequer.
§ Mr. Greg KnightTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what discussions he has had with his EU counterparts on the harmonisation of vehicle registration numbers across Europe. [115373]
§ Mr. SpellarWe have had no such discussions.
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§ Mr. Greg KnightTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport who the members are of the Modernisation of Vehicle Registration Implementation Board; and what plans they have to consult with(a) motoring organisations and (b) those with knowledge of and an interest in classic or historic motor vehicles. [115374]
§ Mr. SpellarThe Modernisation of Vehicle Registration Implementation Board (MVRIB) membership, is made up of representatives of the Department for Transport, the Police, Home Office, Cabinet Office, No. 10, AA, RAC, the insurance industry, motor manufacturers, motor traders, and the TUC.
The AA and RAC representing motoring organisations, will continue to be invited and consulted as MVRIB meets in the future. My officials have also met with organisations representing the owners of historic vehicles, and we shall continue to include them in any future consultation undertaken in connection with the MVRIB programme.