§ 21. Mr. ARTHUR MICHAEL SAMUELasked the Minister of Transport what steps are being taken by his Department and/or by the local authorities to make effective the existing regulations designed to prevent the overloading of motor and steam-driven vehicles using public roads?
§ The MINISTER of TRANSPORT (Mr. Herbert Morrison)In a circular letter which I recently caused to be sent to highway authorities it was pointed out that grants from the Road Fund are now available towards the expenses incurred by them in erecting machines for weighing vehicles or in securing the use of such machines belonging to any other authority or person, and the hope was expressed that this provision would encourage and assist highway authorities in the exercise of their powers under Section 27 of the Road Traffic Act, 1930, with regard to the weighing of vehicles. I am arranging for a copy of the Circular to be sent to the hon. Member.
§ Mr. SAMUELAre we to understand from the Minister's reply that the local authorities do not give effect to these regulations; and does the Minister ask for returns from the local authorities, showing the results of their investigations?
§ Mr. MORRISONThe answer which I have given relates rather to future arrangements in connection with the administration of the Road Traffic Act, 1930. I am afraid it has to be confessed that in the past, under previous legislation, the administration was not as firm as it might have been.
§ Colonel ASHLEYWhat is the rate of grant from the Road Fund?
§ Mr. MORRISONI could not say without notice, but I know that there is a 2010 grant from the Road Fund towards weighing machines.