§ Mr. David NicholsonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what powers the police have to restrain persons from driving vehicles which do not bear a current tax disc; and if he will make a statement on the enforcement of this measure. [15062]
§ Mr. MacleanThe main responsibility for enforcement action against untaxed vehicles rests with the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency. The police and traffic wardens assist by sending reports of suspected unlicensed vehicles to the agency. No powers exist for restraining persons from driving untaxed vehicles, but regulations will be introduced shortly which provide powers to wheelclamp and impound unlicensed vehicles parked on the public road. A pilot wheelclamping scheme, starting in London this month, will enable the agency to assess the effectiveness of these powers in combating vehicle excise duty evasion.