HC Deb 05 May 1955 vol 540 cc1892-3
39. Mr. Ernest Davies

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation how many of the 170 proposed additional driving and traffic examiners have been recruited to date; and how many it is proposed to assign to enforcement of Part I of the Road and Rail Traffic Act, 1933.

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

Sixty-four examiners have been recruited so far. None of these will be employed in the first place on enforcement duties in connection with the Road Traffic Acts, but the recruitment programme is designed to bring the total staff employed on such duties on the average throughout the year to 114.

Mr. Davies

Why does the Minister consider it necessary to increase the number of officials who will be engaged, partially at least, on enforcement work? Does he not admit that infringement of the law has increased recently with the sale of these vehicles and the cut-throat competition that is taking place?

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

I am increasing the enforcement staff because, as the hon. Gentleman himself has pointed out to me on more than one occasion, it is at the moment below the pre-war level. I certainly do not accept the implication of a somewhat controversial character which he sought to inject into the question of enforcement of the law.

Mr. Davies

Has the Minister examined the evidence which I and other hon. Members have sent him regarding infringements of the law, relating to the increase in breaches of statutory requirements regarding hours of work and rest periods?'

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

Nothing that the hon. Gentleman has sent me on this subject could be dignified by the description of evidence.