Lorries (Loading Regulations) (Hansard, 29 July 1976)

§ 1. Mr. Molyneaux
asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether he is satisfied that the regulations designed to prevent the overloading of heavy goods vehicles are being observed.

§ The Under-Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (Mr. James A. Dunn)
I am pleased to inform the hon. Gentleman that roadside spot checks of heavy goods vehicles by the RUC and the Northern Ireland Department of the Environment indicate that a substantial majority of vehicles comply with the loading limits. However, in the 12 months ending April 1976, 343 overloadings were detected and 59 prosecutions initiated.

§ Mr. Molyneaux
Is the Minister aware that that is a substantial number? The 848 majority of law-abiding companies that originally set out loyally to obey and comply with the regulations are now meeting with unfair competition from a tiny minority of unscrupulous companies that in some cases are using lorries designed to carry loads of 13½ tons to carry loads of 22 tons. Will the Minister ensure that there is overall and even enforcement of the regulations?

§ Mr. Dunn
I appreciate the concern that the hon. Gentleman expresses. If he gives the Department the names and addresses of those concerned, we shall make further inquiries.

§ 2. Mr. Cohen
asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when he intends to issue the consultative document on the reorganisation of secondary schools in Northern Ireland.

§ The Minister of State, Northern Ireland Office (Mr. Roland Moyle)
The consultative document was published on Tuesday 27th July and copies have been placed in the Library.

§ Mr. Cohen
Will my hon. Friend indicate the measure of agreement that exists on comprehensive education in Northern Ireland among the bodies associated with the provision of education? Will he indicate what the timetable for implementation may be, arising from this document?

§ Mr. Moyle
The object of the consultative document is to promote a discussion in the Province, and the measure of agreement will emerge from that. I am allowing approximately six months for a public debate, but it will not be cut firmly at that time if the debate is still continuing. If there is to be a White Paper, it will be in the spring of 1977. Legislation, if required, will not be until the 1977–78 Session.

§ Mr. McCusker
Is the hon. Gentleman in a position to give a costing to the scheme as envisaged in his consultative document, or a scheme based on it? Will he assure the House that he will not replace the already adequate education system with an untried and costly system that will bear heavily on a Province that will be seriously affected by financial restriction?

§ Mr. Moyle
On the hon. Gentleman's second point, I gave him that assurance 849 on the last occasion we had Northern Ireland parliamentary Questions. An outline costing for the scheme is contained in the consultative document, and a copy is being sent to the hon. Gentleman.

§ Mr. Mahon
Is my right hon. Friend aware that one of the most agreeable and constant features of educational life in Northern Ireland is the equitable way in which the schools have been treated? Schools of all denominations have been treated with generosity and on an equitable basis. This has hapened under all Governments in Northern Ireland and here. Will the Minister give an assurance that this state of affairs will be fostered and permeated?

§ Mr. Moyle
I am pleased to be able to give my hon. Friend that assurance.

§ Mr. Kilfedder
Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the consultative document uses the expressions "Roman Catholic sector" and "non-Roman Catholic sector"? Does he realise that "non-Roman Catholic sector" is an offensive way in which to describe the schools provided for the majority of Ulster people, when it is just as easy to refer to the controlled schools and the Protestant voluntary schools? Will he issue a correction to remove this offending description?

§ Mr. Moyle
It was not intended to be offensive, and I do not regard it as offensive. I shall not alter the document as the hon. Gentleman suggests.

§ Mr. Biggs-Davison
Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the public debate to which he has referred has already begun? On the one hand, many teachers have been expressing their dislike of the 11-plus examination, but, on the other, the Association of Governing Bodies of Voluntary Schools has expressed the opinion that the abolition of the 11-plus, which so many teachers and others want, need not lead to the abolition of the 58 voluntary grammar schools, Catholic, Protestant and non-denominational, that have served Ulster so well?

§ Mr. Moyle
As is stated in the consultative document, it is my desire to bring the voluntary schools into the reorganised system of secondary educa- 850 tion by consent. I shall do my best to achieve that.