§ Mr. PollardTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans his Department has to(a) strengthen and (b) enforce the legal requirement for changes of vehicle ownership to be registered; and if he will make a statement. [130644]
§ Mr. HillThe Vehicle Crime Reduction Action Team (VCRAT) has drawn up a number of proposals, which will strengthen vehicle registration requirements. The Government are seeking a suitable opportunity to introduce the necessary legislation.
Both the buyer and seller are required to tell the Secretary of State of a vehicle transfer. DVLA already takes enforcement action against vehicle keepers who do not comply with the requirements to notify acquisition and disposal. Around 39,000 cases were dealt with last year. In addition, a further 12,000 cases were actioned following failure to undertake Statutory Off-Road Notification (SORN).
§ Mr. PollardTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assistance his Department is giving to councils which, because changes of vehicle ownership have not been registered, are(a) unable to recover the cost of removing abandoned vehicles and (b) cannot take action to prosecute; and if he will make a statement. [130645]
§ Mr. HillNo assistance is being given at this time. The existing arrangements with local authorities will be reviewed as we develop proposals for implementing the proposed European End-of-Life Vehicles Directive in the UK.