§ 51. Mr. Foxasked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will estimate the number of vehicles used on public highways that do not hold a current excise licence.
§ Mrs. ChalkerThe most recent available estimate was obtained by a survey conducted by my Department in 1977–78. This indicated a level of evasion of vehicle excise duty for cars of 7 to 9 per cent. and 10 to 13 per cent. for goods vehicles and motor cycles. Evasion at this level now would be equivalent to between 1.1 million and 1.4 million cars, 200,000 goods vehicles and 200,000 motorcycles being used or parked on public roads without a current licence. I am determined to reduce the evasion of this tax.