HC Deb 24 February 1986 vol 92 cc665-6
12. Mr. Heathcoat-Amory

asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will introduce measures to enable tachographs fitted to coaches to be used for on-the-spot speed checks.

Mr. Peter Bottomley

It is for chief officers of police to decide what evidence is needed to support prosecutions for speeding. The proposed requirement to fit coaches with speed governors will greatly help compliance with speed limits.

Mr. Heathcoat-Amory

Is my hon. Friend aware that tachographs are used on the continent to enforce speed restrictions and that it is a cheap and effective system? Does he agree that such a system is preferable to his proposal, which will force small bus operators to fit these new-fangled speed governors—a burden which they could well do without?

Mr. Bottomley

My hon. Friend will be aware that the laws in this country are different from the laws in the rest of Europe. It is for the police to decide what evidence to bring and what resources should be deployed. Speed governors tackle the problem more directly and are a more certain way of ensuring compliance. Prevention is better than cure.

Mr. Stephen Ross

The Minister has mentioned twice the fitting of speed governors, which already exist on coaches on the Oxford Link service. What time scale does he envisage before this becomes a legal requirement?

Mr. Bottomley

I am not yet certain.

Mr. Lyell

Will my hon. Friend think again about the use of tachographs? They are extremely effective in preventing accidents. I have seen them in operation when travelling on coaches throughout Europe. They have much to recommend them.

Mr. Bottomley

I shall give further consideration to my hon. and learned Friend's suggestion.

Mr. Evans

In view of the widespread concern in the country about the speed at which certain coaches travel on motorways—all hon. Members have seen coaches flying past them at 70, 80 or 90 mph—why does the Minister not instruct the police regularly to inspect the tachographs? The introduction of the governor will cause problems for some vehicles that are forced to speed to escape from a possible traffic hazard.

Mr. Bottomley

The hon. Gentleman will want to know that the Department has analysed about 80,000 tachograph charts in the last 12 months.