HC Deb 28 April 1970 vol 800 cc1043-4
26. Mr. Raphael Tuck

asked the Minister of Transport whether, in view of the report recently made to him by the Royal Institute of British Architects, he will maintain the limit of 32 tons for lorry-trailer combinations.

36. Mr. Wall

asked the Minister of Transport if he will make a further statement on the licensing of lorries above the present weight and size limits.

72. Mr. Ellis

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will make a statement on his policy regarding possible revision of the maximum weight of vehicles allowed on the roads.

Mr. Mulley

The views expressed by the Royal Institute of British Architects and by many other organisations and individuals are being taken into account in a thorough appraisal of the implications of permitting the use of heavier goods vehicles. I will announce my decisions and reasons for them as soon as possible.

Mr. Tuck

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the proposed increase from 32 to 56 tons will raise great problems of safety and environmental factors? The present plans for 44-ton lorries would increase the decibels by about ten times the level recommended by the Wilson Committee. Is my right hon. Friend in favour of the industry-financed study, recommended by the Royal Institute of British Architects?

Mr. Mulley

I do not think that my hon. Friend has all his facts right. A condition of any increased size would be that the noise and other criteria would have to conform to standards already laid down, but I have agreed—and this is why the matter is taking time—to a cost-benefit study involving factors of precisely the kind asked for by the R.I.B.A.