§ 52. Mr. LESLIE BOYCEasked the Minister of Transport if he is aware that, on 25th May last at Taunton, a fine of £1 was imposed on Charles Henry Mitchell for driving a motor vehicle which 1587 was 4 tons 17 cwts. in excess of the weight permitted by law; that this was the defendant's thirteenth conviction and his third within three weeks for offences in connection with heavy motor vehicles; and whether, in view of this and similar cases, he will consider amending the law to impose severer minimum penalties upon those who persist in defying the law relating to the weight of road vehicles?
§ Mr. PYBUSWhile my attention had not been previously drawn to this particular case, the practice on the part of some operators consistently to overload their vehicles is a matter which is engaging special attention at the present time with a view to seeing what steps can be taken for the more effective enforcement of the law. At the moment, however, I am not prepared to agree that further legislation is necessary.