HC Deb 30 November 1987 vol 123 cc597-8
11. Mr. Flynn

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he has information as to the proportion of overloaded vehicles which are stopped at their point of entry into the United Kingdom.

Mr. Peter Bottomley

We target checking on vehicles likely to be overloaded.

Last year about 24 per cent. of foreign vehicles checked were dealt with for overloading. The statistics do not distinguish between foreign vehicles checked at the ports and those checked inland.

Mr. Flynn

Is it not important to check a larger proportion of vehicles, as a large percentage of vehicles are overloaded? We know the damage that those vehicles cause to our roads. The important test is not the total weight, but the weight on each axle. If there is overloading, or uncontrolled loading, the damage to our roads is very costly. Is there not an unanswerable case, which was not answered in the previous question, for increasing the surveillance of overloaded foreign lorries?

Mr. Bottomley

The hon. Gentleman is correct. He will be glad to hear that we aim to weigh 50 per cent. more foreign lorries this year.

Mr. Page

As one in four continental lorries are overweight when tested, when will my hon. Friend take steps to ensure that the weighbridge at Dover, which has been out of action for two years, is brought into use?

Mr. Bottomley

As soon as I can, but I think my hon. Friend will accept that a high proportion of the lorries checked are overloaded, because the staff check more overloaded lorries than empty lorries.