§ 74. Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware of the large amount of revenue being lost by owners of vehicles using them on the roads without paying the road fund licence, and that, since the inception of the Greater London Council in April, in that area alone 37,196 cases were reported of unlicensed vehicles; and whether he will introduce legislation to enable him to ensure that this revenue is properly paid by vehicle owners.
§ Mr. Tom FraserIn about one-third of the 37,196 cases to which my hon. Friend refers, licence duty was paid either before or shortly after the report was made and there was no loss of revenue. By the end of September 9,562 cases had been dealt with, by the Greater London Council as the responsible authority, by prosecution, imposition of a mitigated penalty, or caution, and any revenue lost thereby recovered. In the cases outstanding I have no doubt that all possible action will be taken, including prosecutions where appropriate, to recover any unpaid duty. Reporting and investigating on this scale indicates very considerable activity in checking evasion. I and the other authorities concerned will continue to keep a careful watch on the situation, but I am satisfied that existing powers are adequate.