§ 25. Mr. Dykesasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he is satisfied with the progress made by local authorities with traffic responsibilities in England and Wales on preparing the implementation of heavy vehicle controls under the Heavy Commercial Vehicles Act 1973.
§ Mr. MarksMy Department will be reviewing the progress made by local authorities over the next few months. Available evidence indicates that authorities are aware of their responsibilities and have made some progress.
§ Mr. DykesIs the Minister satisfied with the progress, and does he accept that financial stringency and economic recession is not a fundamental excuse for delaying progress on these measures that need to be implemented by 1st January next year?
§ Mr. MarksYes, I am aware of my duties should local authorities not carry out the provisions of the Heavy Commercial Vehicles Act, which has become known as the "Dykes Act". The councils need to produce at least one draft notice by 1st January 1977, and I am keeping a close eye on what they are doing.