HC Deb 18 July 1979 vol 970 cc1771-2
19. Mr. Chapman

asked the Minister of Transport if he will make a further statement about his decision to institute an independent inquiry into lorries and their impact on the environment, with particular reference to the recent EEC draft directive.

Mr. Fowler

I hope to make a further statement soon, when I will announce the form of the inquiry and its membership.

Mr. Chapman

Will my right hon. Friend confirm that if the country were to accept and implement the EEC draft directive on heavy lorries the lorries using our roads would need to be no wider, no higher and only 20 in. longer and that there would be no greater axle weight on the roads? If that is so, does my right hon. Friend agree that there are environmental arguments for having these heavier lorries since they would be able to take greater loads and thereby make fewer journeys?

Mr. Fowler

I am aware that my hon. Friend has consistently expressed that view, but it is not a view that goes unchallenged in this House. I believed that the proper way to proceed was to have an independent inquiry into the use of heavy lorries. That is why we proceeded as we did, with the agreement of the Opposition.

Mr. R. C. Mitchell

Will the Minister stop prevaricating on this issue and give a very firm undertaking that he will not yield to the road haulage lobby and introduce heavier and larger lorries on to our already overcrowded roads?

Mr. Fowler

I can tell the hon. Gentleman that we shall not make a decision before the independent inquiry has reported; otherwise, there would be no point in having an inquiry in the first place.

Mr. Michael Brown

Does my right hon. Friend accept that if a larger vehicle is introduced there will probably be an additional axle? That would mean that the weight displacement and the damage caused to roads would actually be less.

Mr. Fowler

My hon. Friend has put a fair point. It is obviously a view that is held by the industry. All the converse points that have been put show the wisdom of having an independent inquiry into this whole question.