§ Mr. Aspinwallasked the Secretary of State for Transport if he is satisfied with the level of enforcement of vehicle excise duty.
§ Mrs. ChalkerI am concerned about any evasion of vehicle excise duty, since every £1 of tax dodged has to be paid by someone else. With the co-operation of the police, enforcement activity has been made more effective.
Intensive on-street campaigns are proving most effective and will cover further areas of the country. Drivers stopped who have no valid excise licence will be automatically prosecuted. While it is not possible to complete action on all offences reported in other enforcement activities, my Department expects that the number of reports followed up this year will be 62 per cent. higher than last year's level, and that the number of successful prosecutions will be 50 per cent. higher. I expect recovery of back duty, fines, penalties and costs this year to be some £.13.5 million compared with last year's total of £9.4 million. In addition, the campaigns have led to a significant increase in voluntary relicensing.