Mr Meacher acknowledged there was a big problem

But the lengthy period before the councils can remove them often sees the cars vandalised, or even destroyed by fire.

The government now plans to look into ways of making it more difficult for drivers to evade their responsibility to dispose of unwanted vehicles.

Junior environment minister Lord Whitty said in written answer to a question in the House of Lords: "The government is to consult shortly on longer-term proposals for improving the accuracy of the DVLA vehicle register.

"The effect of these would be to make it more difficult for drivers to evade responsibility for their vehicles.

Pressure

"The consultation will also include proposals to make it easier for local authorities to deal with a vehicle once it has been abandoned, by shortening notice periods so that vehicles can be removed more quickly."

During a Commons debate on the issue later Mr Meacher faced pressure from Labour MPs for action.

Stevenage member Barbara Follett said there was a "proliferation of rusting hulks across the length and breadth of our once green and pleasant land".

Mrs Follett secured a debate on abandoned cars

Mr Meacher acknowledged that abandoned cars had now become a "major headache" not just for councils but for fire brigades and for the police as such vehicles were a target for vandals.

They also posed a danger to public safety.

A "significant hardcore" of car owners who were not registered with the DVLA would be targeted so if they abandoned their vehicle they could be forced to pay, Mr Meacher said.

EU directive

He added that an EU directive which in the future will force car manufacturers to pick up much of the cost would spare local authorities much of the current financial burden caused by the problem.

A major reason behind the trend of abandoning cars rather than scrapping them is the fall in the value of scrap metal.

Typically car owners are now expected to pay for the disposal of their vehicles rather than making an amount in the region of �50.