§ Mr. Goodladasked the Secretary of State for Transport (1) in respect of how many commercial vehicles in each of the last five years vehicle excise duty has been paid;
(2) in respect of how many vehicles in each of the following categories in each of the last five years vehicle excise duty has been paid (a) commercial vehicles, (b) private vehicles used exclusively for private use, being the only car owned by the taxpayer, (c) private vehicles used exclusively for private use, being one of two cars owned by the taxpayer, and (d) private vehicles used exclusively for private use, being one of more than two cars owned by the taxpayer.
§ Mr. Horam:The number of commercial vehicles—public road passenger vehicles, general goods vehicles, farmers goods vehicles, and tractors paying vehicle excise duty—licensed in September 1978 was 2.2 million and has been at this level for the past five years. The number of cars licensed in September 1978 was 14.1 million. This represents an increase of about 1 million since 1973. In 1977, 10.3 million cars were in private use either exclusively or with less than 500 miles of business travel a year, of which 7.7 million were the only car normally available to a household and 2.6 million were in multi-car households. Those with more than 500 miles of business use numbered 3.7 million, of which 2.4 million were only cars and 1.3 million were in multi-car households.
§ Mr. Brothertonasked the Secretary of State for Transport what savings in staff will be made as a result of the abolition of vehicle excise duty; and whether the staff displaced will be transferred to other Departments or be made redundant.
§ Mr. Horam:Rather more than 2,000 posts. At Swansea the reduction can be met by natural wastage. In local offices the effect has to be considered in detail and in consultation with the unions involved. But the rundown will be made with full regard to staff interests.