§ Mr. JenkinTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will estimate how many cars are abandoned illegally each year.[157256]
§ Mr. Hill[holding answer 6 April 2001]: The Department holds no central records at present of the number of vehicles abandoned illegally each year but plans to collect information in the next Municipal Waste Management Survey later this year.
§ Mr. JenkinTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what measures the Government are proposing to address the problem of illegally abandoned vehicles. [157263]
§ Mr. Hill[holding answer 6 April 2001]: The Government have improved registration arrangements to require the seller to notify the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) when ownership of a vehicle changes. DVLA are encouraging local authorities to link electronically with them so that vehicle keeper information can be obtained more quickly and will shortly issue a Circular to all local authorities on the procedures for dealing with abandoned vehicles.
Two pilot schemes are due to start this month—in Lewisham and Newham, who will target unlicensed vehicles using DVLA's wheelclamping powers. The boroughs will retain the wheelclamp release fees and storage fees. Both pilots will run for 12 months.
We are also working with the Local Government Association, police and DVLA to identify good practice and exploit opportunities for cross-agency working in tackling the related problems of vehicle theft, vehicle excise duty evasion and abandoned vehicles and will consider from this the need for any legislative change.