§ Mr. Stanbrookasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the gross annual revenue derived from the vehicle excise licensing system; what is his estimate of the total annual cost of administration of the system; how much of this cost is represented by the maintenance of a central registry; and how much by the cost of enforcement of the provisions of the Vehicles (Excise) Act.
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§ Mr. CarmichaelVehicle licensing in Great Britain in 1973–74 yielded £502 million, net of refunds of duty, and cost £14.5 million. This cost includes that of the enforcement work of the Department of the Environment and its agents, which is not separately identified.
§ Mr. Stanbrookasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what would be the estimated saving in administrative cost derived from the abolition of vehicle excise duty and the substitution of a surcharge on vehicle insurance certificates calculated to yield the same revenue.
§ Mr. CarmichaelNo estimate is readily available.
§ Mr. Stanbrookasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will institute discussions with the insurance authorities with a view to the abolition of vehicle excise duty and its replacement by a system, operated jointly by insurance companies and the Central Vehicle Licensing Registry, providing for the issue of insurance certificates in the form of discs for display on vehicles and subject to a surcharge calculated to yield the equivalent of vehicle excise duty.
§ Mr. CarmichaelNo. I see no clear benefits in a system on such lines. It would have to be very complex if it were to be an adequate replacement for the present registration and licensing arrangements.