Heavy Lorries (Hansard, 23 January 1980)

§ 8. Mr. Snape
asked the Minister of Transport if he will make a statement on the progress of the Armitage inquiry into heavy lorries.

§ Mr. Fowler
Sir Arthur Armitage has received written evidence from a large number of organisations and individuals. This evidence is now being considered in detail by Sir Arthur and his assessors. I understand that Sir Arthur hopes to present his report by the summer.

§ Mr. Snape
Will the Minister give an undertaking that before he acts on the report of the Armitage inquiry the issue will be debated in the House? Will he tell us why his Department recently increased international road haulage quotas by 20 percent. in December 1979? When will his Department change its attitude towards the menace of a heavy lorry?

§ Mr. Fowler
I can give an assurance that no decision on the issue of lorry weight will be made before the House has had an opportunity to debate that important issue. The hon. Gentleman referred to quotas for international journeys. Surely it is the joint policy of both sides of the House to help British road hauliers to expand their business inside Europe.

§ Mr. Penhaligon
When motorways are being designed is the assumption made that larger lorries will be permitted or is it assumed that they will be banned?

§ Mr. Fowler
Assumptions are made on the same basis as hitherto. We are not making assumptions that the weight of lorries is to be increased. That is one of the major reasons for setting up the Armitage inquiry.

§ Mr. Rooker
Does the Minister realise that the assumptions to which he has referred take account of the noise of vehicles? Is he aware that of the mix of ordinary private vehicles and heavier lorries the latter are noisier? Does he agree that the Armitage inquiry should pay more attention to the noise generated by heavy lorries, especially on motorways in urban areas? Is he aware that some bedrooms are no more than 50 ft. away from the motorway? That is one of the many reasons why heavier lorries should not be allowed.

§ Mr. Fowler
That is one of the major issues. I agree with the hon. Gentleman that it is important. It is a matter that may be submitted to the Armitage inquiry. If the hon. Gentleman and his colleagues want to put such matters to the inquiry, he and they will be able to do so. That is why we have set up the inquiry. The inquiry was promised by the previous Labour Government. It is a promise that we have sustained. The purpose of having such an inquiry is illustrated by my reply.

§ Mr. Dover
During my travels along motorways it has become clear to me that water spray from heavy lorries—

§ Mr. Speaker
Order. Many things may be clear to the hon. Gentleman, but he must ask a question.

§ Mr. Dover
Will my right hon. Friend ensure that investigations into heavy lorries include water spray from lorries and the major accidents that are caused because lorries travel far too close to one another on motorways?

§ Mr. Fowler
The Transport and Road Research Laboratory is working on water spray. There is no reason why that matter should not be referred to the Armitage inquiry. I should like further to consider my hon. Friend's second point.