MCC , Middlesex County Council x Middlesex County Council

Local taxation licences were necessary for keeping a dog, employing a game-keeper, carrying a gun, killing or dealing in game and were obtainable at any Post Office or directly from the County Council. The Council was also responsible for the issue of minor excise licences required by hawkers, pawnbrokers, resreshment house keepers and money lenders. In all these cases it was the Council's duty to ensure that the necessary licences were taken out and renewed. All these functions were carried out by the Local Taxation Department in which was employed a staff of inspectors and enquiry officers who worked from offices in Brentford, Tottenham and Willesden. When necessary the Council prosecuted offenders. It was also empowered to impose monetary penalties, the payment of which avoided the necessity for court proceedings.

The Local Taxation Department was also responsible for the registration and licensing of all motor vehicles kept in the County and for issuing driving licences to County residents. For registration and licensing purposes, the person keeping and using a motor vehicle was regarded as its owner, and once a vehicle had been registered, all changes of ownership, as well as changes in the use of the vehicle, had to be reported. Factors which were considered before a vehicle was licensed included ownership, construction and use, and in the case of goods vehicles the weight.