Clause 18 - Motorcycles (and motorcycle trade licences): rates of duty
Finance Bill
10:30 am
Mr Christopher Chope (Christchurch, Conservative)
I congratulate the Government on their enlightened approach, which is reflected in the clause. When I was the roads Minister many years ago, I was unable to persuade the powers that be that motorcycles should be treated in that way because the prevailing view at the heart of Government was that motorcycles were inherently dangerous, and therefore
anything that was done to encourage their use was bad for both road safety and the wider economy. Obviously, different views now prevail, and I should like to put on record the fact that when I was the roads Minister I had free rides on very powerful motorcycles, but was never able to deliver anything in return. I recognise that the clause is a move in the right direction, and I congratulate the Government.