asked the Secretary of State for Transport why he has decided to increase the fee for the transfer of a cherished car number from £50 to £80; and if he will give a breakdown in costs.

The fee for a cherished number transfer had not been increased since it was set at £50 in 1977. Movement of wages and prices since then suggests a fee of about £100 would be justified today. The Government decided to limit the fee to £80 to cater for those who have personal attachments to particular registration numbers.The costs of a cherished transfer in 1977 were about £10 to £15; 1982 costs were about £20–£25.