THE Government is planning to clamp down on clocking which defrauds the public of £100 million a year. Minister for Transport in London Glenda Jackson called clocking 'deplorable' and said the Government was reviewing what further measures - in addition to car mileage registers - could be taken to deal with the problem.

RMI chief executive Christopher Macgowan called the Government's move 'significant' and added: 'We are delighted to see that the Government is aware of this practice which defrauds the public of £100 million a year. We are also encouraged that the Government is committed to reviewing the law as it now stands and hope they will do so with the utmost speed.'

Any MP sponsoring an anti-clocking bill will receive full backing from the RMI and other motor industry organisations which the federation will approach for support.