HC Deb 12 July 2000 vol 353 cc557-8W
Mr. Öpik

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to investigate the issuing of incorrect road tax penalty notices to motorcyclists; and if he will make a statement. [128778]

Mr. Hill

A recently publicised case involving a motorcyclist, where enforcement action was commenced when the motorcycle was in fact licensed, has led DVLA to review its procedures to ensure that this does not happen again.

Before any action is taken by DVLA, the national vehicle register is checked to establish whether vehicles are unlicensed at the time of offence. This safeguard should avoid action being taken against motorists in the situation where a licence has been taken out, but the vehicle register has yet to be updated with the licensing details from the Post Office.