More Anti-Bike Crap from MP's
Discussion
Yes it grated on me when they lowered the road tax for smaller cars, yet raised the tax on larger bikes.
I pay more tax for my bike than some cars with larger engines, assuming the car is only carrying 1 or 2 people which is more efficient and creates less congestion?
Thievin' feckwits.....
I pay more tax for my bike than some cars with larger engines, assuming the car is only carrying 1 or 2 people which is more efficient and creates less congestion?
Thievin' feckwits.....
I sent;
I am sending this after reading an article on the BBC site.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/7200066.stm
A couple of points I'd like clarifying, though I realise you didn't
actually write the article.
I have numbered these and would like the questions answered, and not
answered selectively. I have also included quotes of comments made by
you from the article. (Quotes are indicated)
Quote:
Motorcyclists are particularly liable to evade road tax. Nearly 40% of
motorcycles are now unlicensed.
1) 40% seems high, how was this figure reached?
2) Does the 40% take into consideration;
i) Track bikes that are never used on the road
ii) Bikes in the process of being restored
3) Is the figure of 4 in 10 just the percentage of SORN bikes?
(If it is I think that's the most ridiculous suggestion that any person
declaring a bike SORN is a liar)
Quote
They must also "strongly consider more severe measures such as
impounding unlicensed motorcycles", he said, adding: "Large parts of the
biking community are cocking a snook at the law."
I don't have a problem with any unlicensed vehicle being impounded if it
is on use on the roads when it is falsely declared SORN.
I do however resent the implication that, "Large parts of the biking
community are cocking a snook at the law."
Most of the bikers I know or have met have no problem with the law, ride
sensibly and courteously, there are of course the odd few that have
little or no regard for the law, but they are a minority and not a,
"Large part" as you suggest.
Although it is not a quote of you,
The report found that motorists who refused to tax a vehicle and
register as its keeper were often trying to avoid congestion charges and
conceal criminal activity.
4) I'd like to know where congestion charging applies to motorbikes
(As far as I was aware it did not currently apply to motorbikes)
5) Is this a suggestion that it is to be brought into effect?
6) What exactly are you implying by, "Criminal activity"?
I am offended that as a motorcyclist you are suggesting I am a criminal.
(As I am sure you would equally be offended if I were to suggest that a
large portion of politicians self serving liars.)
I await your response.
Kind Regards
George Sutton.
And got the response;
Thank you for your email to leighe@parliament.uk. Please read the
following instructions to ensure your email is dealt with correctly.
Only CONSTITUENTS who give a full postal address will be replied to. If
you have not enclosed your full postal address in your email, please
resend it with this information.
For matters relating to the PUBLIC ACCOUNTS' COMMITTEE and/or the
NATIONAL AUDIT OFFICE, please resend your email to:
pubaccom@parliament.uk
Thank you for your cooperation.
Edward Leigh MP
Guess I'll have to re-send it elsewhere as I don't live in Gainsborough
It would be nice for them to have to respond to quotes made to press regardless of whether you are a constituent of their area o not.
I am sending this after reading an article on the BBC site.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/7200066.stm
A couple of points I'd like clarifying, though I realise you didn't
actually write the article.
I have numbered these and would like the questions answered, and not
answered selectively. I have also included quotes of comments made by
you from the article. (Quotes are indicated)
Quote:
Motorcyclists are particularly liable to evade road tax. Nearly 40% of
motorcycles are now unlicensed.
1) 40% seems high, how was this figure reached?
2) Does the 40% take into consideration;
i) Track bikes that are never used on the road
ii) Bikes in the process of being restored
3) Is the figure of 4 in 10 just the percentage of SORN bikes?
(If it is I think that's the most ridiculous suggestion that any person
declaring a bike SORN is a liar)
Quote
They must also "strongly consider more severe measures such as
impounding unlicensed motorcycles", he said, adding: "Large parts of the
biking community are cocking a snook at the law."
I don't have a problem with any unlicensed vehicle being impounded if it
is on use on the roads when it is falsely declared SORN.
I do however resent the implication that, "Large parts of the biking
community are cocking a snook at the law."
Most of the bikers I know or have met have no problem with the law, ride
sensibly and courteously, there are of course the odd few that have
little or no regard for the law, but they are a minority and not a,
"Large part" as you suggest.
Although it is not a quote of you,
The report found that motorists who refused to tax a vehicle and
register as its keeper were often trying to avoid congestion charges and
conceal criminal activity.
4) I'd like to know where congestion charging applies to motorbikes
(As far as I was aware it did not currently apply to motorbikes)
5) Is this a suggestion that it is to be brought into effect?
6) What exactly are you implying by, "Criminal activity"?
I am offended that as a motorcyclist you are suggesting I am a criminal.
(As I am sure you would equally be offended if I were to suggest that a
large portion of politicians self serving liars.)
I await your response.
Kind Regards
George Sutton.
And got the response;
Thank you for your email to leighe@parliament.uk. Please read the
following instructions to ensure your email is dealt with correctly.
Only CONSTITUENTS who give a full postal address will be replied to. If
you have not enclosed your full postal address in your email, please
resend it with this information.
For matters relating to the PUBLIC ACCOUNTS' COMMITTEE and/or the
NATIONAL AUDIT OFFICE, please resend your email to:
pubaccom@parliament.uk
Thank you for your cooperation.
Edward Leigh MP
Guess I'll have to re-send it elsewhere as I don't live in Gainsborough
It would be nice for them to have to respond to quotes made to press regardless of whether you are a constituent of their area o not.
I think it's precursor BS to trying to bring in the ledgislation to register and tax all bikes, ie racing, trail, trial etc. I heard this muted before and it included cars, but it was deemed unworkable and highly damaging to the motorsport industry, so got kicked out by MPs who like there cars as well as bikes
It is now on Reuters as well.
http://uk.reuters.com/article/motoringNews/idUKNOA...
Have also forwarded my previous response to the BBC.
http://uk.reuters.com/article/motoringNews/idUKNOA...
Have also forwarded my previous response to the BBC.
"New automatic number plate recognition cameras, capable of detecting motorcycle number plates, are being used in targeted enforcement operations at motorcycle events," a spokesman said
"And, from September, new legislation will allow the police, DVLA and local authorities to take action against unlicensed vehicles even if they are not parked on public roads."
From the BBC site
Now, wasn't that legislation sent packing?
40% does include off-road vehicles then the government or DVLA have no rights to tax?
"And, from September, new legislation will allow the police, DVLA and local authorities to take action against unlicensed vehicles even if they are not parked on public roads."
From the BBC site
Now, wasn't that legislation sent packing?
40% does include off-road vehicles then the government or DVLA have no rights to tax?
Well I got a further reply, however he doesn't actually answer the questions and the reply is by proxy.
Isn't this a surprise from a politician......
Dear Mr Sutton
Thank you for writing to the Chairman of the Committee of Public
Accounts, Edward Leigh, he has asked me to reply on his behalf. You ask
how the Committee arrived at the 40% figure. The figure is derived from
a roadside survey of over one million vehicles conducted by the
Department. Full details of the survey are available on the
Department's website.
With regard to the reported comments about the congestion charge, and
also criminality. The Committee notes:
"Evasion of congestion charges is a factor in the increased level of VED
evasion. Vehicle keepers may try to avoid congestion charges by using
false or cloned plates so that they cannot be traced from the DVLA's
records and hence can not be sent the congestion charge penalty. Many of
those vehicles will also show as unlicensed if seen as part of the
annual roadside survey. VED enforcement against this group is causing
significant and increasing problems for the DVLA. The police experience
comparable difficulties when they try to track vehicles wanted in
relation to other crimes."
The Committee has no view on the congestion charge itself.
I hope you find this helpful.
Yours sincerely
Phil Jones
Committee Assistant, PAC
Isn't this a surprise from a politician......
Dear Mr Sutton
Thank you for writing to the Chairman of the Committee of Public
Accounts, Edward Leigh, he has asked me to reply on his behalf. You ask
how the Committee arrived at the 40% figure. The figure is derived from
a roadside survey of over one million vehicles conducted by the
Department. Full details of the survey are available on the
Department's website.
With regard to the reported comments about the congestion charge, and
also criminality. The Committee notes:
"Evasion of congestion charges is a factor in the increased level of VED
evasion. Vehicle keepers may try to avoid congestion charges by using
false or cloned plates so that they cannot be traced from the DVLA's
records and hence can not be sent the congestion charge penalty. Many of
those vehicles will also show as unlicensed if seen as part of the
annual roadside survey. VED enforcement against this group is causing
significant and increasing problems for the DVLA. The police experience
comparable difficulties when they try to track vehicles wanted in
relation to other crimes."
The Committee has no view on the congestion charge itself.
I hope you find this helpful.
Yours sincerely
Phil Jones
Committee Assistant, PAC
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