§ 45. Mr. Blenkinsopasked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation how many goods vehicle licences have been cancelled, and how many have been suspended, by the Northern Road Traffic Commissioner during the last 12 months.
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterNone, Sir.
§ Mr. BlenkinsopIn view of the repeated breaches of the Act by private hauliers in relation to hours worked, does not the right hon. Gentleman think it is high time that more vigorous action is taken? Does he not realise that the small fines imposed by the courts are of no avail whatever, and that it is only if licences are withdrawn by the commissioners that something may result?
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterIn this respect the commissioners can only deal with specific cases and not with general allegations. The Northern Road Traffic Commissioner did, in fact, hold a public inquiry in August into a particular case in which, having heard the evidence, he decided that revocation was not the proper course to take.
§ Mr. BlenkinsopDoes the Minister not realise that in a recent case—of which I can send him information if he desires—some ninety cases of breaches were made clear in the court? Is it not obvious that breach of the regulation by hauliers in this regard results in a positive danger to the public on the roads?
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterI would gladly consider any case which the hon. Member is good enough to send to me, but the Question relates to specific action by a specific official over a particular period, and I have given my answer to it.