HC Deb 17 May 1966 vol 728 cc228-9W
Mr. Arthur Lewis

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) why action has not been taken against the owner of vehicle number OO7234, in view of the fact that this has been unlicensed for many months and particulars have been supplied to the appropriate authorities; and if he will instruct the Metro politan Police to report the matter to the local authority;

(2) whether he is aware that vehicle number SRK 351 has, since before October, 1964, been used continually on the roads without a current road fund licence; that although this has been reported to the appropriate authority no licence has been obtained; and whether he will ask the police to make investigations;

(3) whether he will cause an investigation to be made by the police into why a small covered van number 560 TMF, showing a time-expired road fund licence, is parked during the daytime at or near the entrance to 81 Taybridge Road, Lavender Hill, S.W.13, and instruct them to report this to the appropriate authority.

Mr. Taverne

The Commissioner of Police informs me that evidence of the unlicensed use of all those vehicles has been obtained and reported for any necessary action to the Greater London Council, who are the appropriate licensing authority, with whose discretion in the exercise of their statutory functions my right hon. Friend has no authority to intervene.

Mr. Arthur Lewis

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that on 7th April a person paying the road fund licence duty went to Earlsfield Police Station to complain about the large number of un taxed vehicles on the road in and around the Earlsfield Road, S.W.18, area; and what action the police have taken or intend to take regarding this breaking of the law.

Mr. Taverne

The Commissioner of Police informs me that a complaint was made at Earlsfield Police Station on 7th April about two cars apparently un licensed and parked outside the complainant's home. Inquiries have been made by the police and a number of apparently unlicensed vehicles reported to the Greater London Council.

Mr. Arthur Lewis

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will introduce legislation to enable traffic wardens to take numbers of vehicles being used on the roads without a current road fund licence and to for ward these to the appropriate authorities for action thereon, and additionally to issue suitably worded warnings to the drivers of these vehicles by sticking these on the vehicles' windscreens.

Mr. Taverne

My right hon. Friend is keeping under review the question of possible further extensions of the functions of traffic wardens, and he will bear in mind this suggestion.