HC Deb 22 December 1954 vol 535 cc2758-60
58. Mr. Ernest Davies

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation if he will increase the number of officers employed by his Department to ensure enforcement of the licensing procedure laid down by the Road and Rail Traffic Act, 1933.

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

As I have already announced, I have asked the Civil Service Commission to recruit some 170 additional driving and traffic examiners. This will increase the number of staff available for enforcement work.

Mr. Davies

Is the Minister aware that there has been a very great increase in the evasion of the law in regard to the licensing procedure, and that the enforcement officers are finding it possible to deal only with a few of the alleged breaches of the law? For instance, is he aware that in the London Home Counties there are only nine enforcement officers, which is quite inadequate? Will he, therefore, consider increasing the number to the greatest possible extent?

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

As the hon. Gentleman will see from my original answer, some additional enforcement staff is being provided in this way. So far as one particular area is concerned, I prefer not to answer without notice.

Mr. Callaghan

Is it not a shocking commentary on the sales of lorries that there is a need for an increase in enforcement officers as soon as there is sale to private enterprise?

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

I do not think the hon. Gentleman is entitled to draw that deduction, however agreeable politically it might be for him to do so.

59. Mr. Ernest Davies

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation the number of convictions for offences committed in regard to the licensing of goods vehicles under Part I of the Road and Rail Traffic Act, 1933; and what was the number of enforcement officers employed in his Department for the latest available period of 12 months, and for the comparable period in 1938.

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

The number of convictions for these offences during the years ended 30th September, 1954 and 1938 was 8,324 and 16,675, respectively. On 30th September, 1954, 62 officers were employed mainly on this enforcement work, and during the early part of the year 36 examiners normally employed on driving tests were so employed for part of their time. The number of enforcement staff on 30th September, 1938; was 75.

Mr. Davies

If I heard the Minister correctly, is it not a fact that the number of convictions seems to have doubled during this period, and if it is not due to the sale of the vehicles, and this increasing competition which leads to these breaches of the law, what is responsible for this increase?

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

I know it is difficult to follow figures when they are read out, but when the hon. Gentleman looks at them he will find that the number of convictions in the 1954 period was approximately half those in 1938.

Mr. Davies

In view of the fact that it is well known that breaches of the law have very much increased, is not this evidence that there are insufficient enforcement officers at the present time?

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

I am not prepared to accept a generalisation of that sort.