Clause 18 - Fee for payment of duty by credit card
Finance Bill
4:30 pm
Mr John Healey (Economic Secretary, HM Treasury; Wentworth, Labour)
It is difficult to give a definitive answer to the hon. Gentleman at this stage. It is difficult to anticipate precisely how many people will take advantage of the new method of paying for their licence. It is also difficult to anticipate with any certainty what inroads we shall be able to make in relation to the concern he raised about the number who currently do not pay for their licence but should.
The important point is that the clause offers more flexibility for motorists in paying their vehicle excise duty. Most importantly, it gives them the choice of taking advantage of the new facility or continuing with the existing options without additional charge. I therefore commend the clause to the Committee.
Question put and agreed to.
Clause 18 ordered to stand part of the Bill.