§ Mr. VazTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what plans he has to change the month in which new car registration letters are introduced; [20936]
(2) if he will make a statement on the Government's policy in respect of car registration plates. [20935]
§ Ms Glenda JacksonThe Government is proposing that, from March 1999, the age identification letter on vehicle registration plates should change every six months, in March and September. The current R prefix would therefore run until the end of July 1998, and S would run from August 1998 to the end of February 1999.
The current sequence of age identification letters should therefore expire in September 2001. Following the consultation exercise this year, we are currently discussing with the motor industry and other interested parties, including the police, a new vehicle registration format to run from that date. We intend to make a full announcement concerning the changes in the new year.
The Government is concerned at the use of non-standard fonts, which cause difficulties for the police. We intend to tighten the existing regulations, and to introduce a standard mandatory number-plate font. My Department is working with the British Standards Institution and representatives of the motor industry towards finalizing an appropriate standard.