Vol. 524 No. 5
389 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if he will examine the situation facing old age pensioners where their vehicles fail the national car test and where the cost of the subsequent test is causing financial constraints on the pensioner; if a waiver system or a scaled cost system will be put in place to permit these people to have their cars tested; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23281/00]
The framework for the national car test – NCT – which was decided by the previous Government and continued by this Government, involves its operation on a public-private partnership and self-financing basis. The NCT is required under EU legislation to provide for virtually universal coverage of private vehicles; accordingly only minimal exemptions have been granted from its scope.
The contract for the NCT has been awarded on a competitive basis so as to ensure a high level of service and value for money to its users. The two-yearly test, which costs £35, provides a high quality diagnostic service using computerised testing equipment. The retest fee has been fixed at £19.80 where use of test equipment is necessary; otherwise, retests will be carried out free of charge.
Private motoring costs have not in the past received public subsidies, apart from the reliefs of VAT-VRT, motor tax and fuel tax afforded for the benefit of persons with disabilities. I do not consider that the introduction and operation of the national car test justify a departure from the well established principle of non-subsidisation of private motoring costs, and I do not accordingly envisage a change in present arrangements.
