§ Mr. LoveTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what the results have been of the pilot schemes for local authorities to assume responsibility for the clamping and removal of untaxed vehicles; and if he will make a statement. [42555]
§ Mr. JamiesonPilot schemes for local authorities to act as DVLA contractors to clamp and remove unlicensed vehicles have been conducted in Newham and, on a much smaller scale, in Lewisham. Between 9 April 2001 and 28 February 2002 Newham clamped 1,682 vehicles of which 610 were declamped after payment, 160 released from the pound after removal and payment, and 589 were crushed. The number of vehicles reported as abandoned in Newham fell by 10 per cent. between November 2001 and February 2002.
In Lewisham 51 vehicles were clamped between August 2001 and January 2002, with 21 crushed.
1090WA number of other authorities are now in discussion with DVLA with a view to acting as contractors to clamp and remove vehicles.