§ Mr. Penhaligonasked the Minister of Transport (1) if he will now order a survey of vehicle excise duty evasion by heavy goods vehicle operators;
(2) what is the latest estimate of vehicle excise duty evasion by heavy goods vehicle operators, whether by operating unlicensed vehicles, or by paying at too low a rate.
§ Mr. FowlerThe survey of evasion undertaken by the Department in 1977–78 suggested that the level of evasion for goods vehicles might be 10 to 13 per cent.,
VEHICLE EXCISE DUTY: PENALTIES AND BACK DUTY 1979 London Area Elsewhere in Great Britain All Vehicles Goods Vehicles Other Vehicles £ £ £ Fines 431,238 251,021 1,468.105 Mitigated penalties in lieu of prosecution* 174,666 177,560 1,177,112 Back Duty† 408,600 612,201 766,680 * includes an element for back duty †ordered by the Courts or collected as a result of Departmental check weighing.