HC Deb 18 January 1994 vol 235 cc561-3W
Mr. Andrew Smith

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps he is taking to cut the amount of uncollected vehicle excise duty.

Mr. Key

The number of VED evaders brought to book has steadily increased in recent years following the implementation of the recommendations of an efficiency scrutiny, the introduction of new technology, and the continuing programme of joint local campaigns with the police. Last year over 435,000 evaders were penalised with £37.5 million in revenue recovered. In addition, an estimated 180,000 evaders relicensed as a direct result of enforcement action, recovering an extra £14 million. This trend is set to continue.

Mr. Andrew Smith

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many convictions there were in each of the last 10 years in respect of non-payment of vehicle excise duty.

Mr. Key

The figures for successful prosecutions and out of court settlements are set out in the table.

Out of court settlements Successful prosecutions Total cases successfully completed
1984–85 123,000 167,000 290,000
1985–86 136,000 179,000 315,000
1986–87 159,000 186,000 345,000
1987–88 173,000 183,000 356,000

proposals for funding of such schemes will be considered as part of the package approach to local transport expenditure.

Mr. Tipping

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the light rapid transit schemes to which he has made financial contributions; and if he will detail the total amount contributed and the amount paid in each financial year.

Mr. Freeman

The Government have made funding available for the Manchester Metrolink and South Yorkshire Supertram schemes, and for some preliminary expenditure in connection with Midland Metro. The figures are as follows:

Out of court settlements Successful prosecutions Total cases successfully completed
1988–89 185,000 187,000 372,000
1989–90 190,000 180,000 370,000
1990–91 223,000 163,000 386,000
1991–92 243,000 177,000 420,000
1992–93 242,000 193,000 435,000
11993–94 237,000 213,000 450,000
1 Projected.

Mr. Andrew Smith

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many staff, and how much staff time, was invested in tackling non-payment of vehicle excise duty in each of the last 10 years.

Mr. Key

The staff figures, expressed in man years, are as follows:

Man years
1984–85 900
1985–86 908
1986–87 943
1987–88 973
1988–89 975
1989–90 973
1990–91 983
1991–92 936
1992–93 957
1993–94 992

Mr. Andrew Smith

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is his estimate of the amount of vehicle excise duty uncollected in each of the last 10 years; and what estimates he has made for the current and future years.

Mr. Key

Estimates of the revenue loss through evasion of vehicle excise duty in Great Britain are as follows:

Revenue loss £ million Car VED rate £
1984–85 80 90
1985–86 85 100
1986–87 90 100
1987–88 95 100
1988–89 100 100
1989–90 105 100
1990–91 105 100
1991–92 105 100
1992–93 130 110
1993–94 145 125
130

Estimates are derived from periodic roadside surveys. Details of the most recent survey can be obtained from the transport statistics report "Vehicle Excise Duty Evasion in Great Britain in 1989–90", which is available in the House of Commons Library. The next survey is planned for later this year.