HL Deb 30 January 1963 vol 246 cc387-8

6.40 p.m.

LORD SHEPHERD

My Lords, may I thank the noble Lord for his replies that have been given to all the other speakers in the debate. I do not propose to speak on my Motion but will move it formally. But may I make one point?—and it concerns these 320 examiners. They are obviously grossly over-worked. They have their public service vehicles, they have goods vehicles to examine; they have to supervise the inspection of motor cars, and I believe it is true that they are also involved in enforcement over a wide range of matters in the haulage industry. The number is obviously not enough. I believe that it should be doubled. I think that if the country knew the state of the figures and facts it would demand it. I hope the Government will feel it is the desire of this House that something De done urgently. I beg to move.

Moved, That there be laid before the House Papers relating to the Annual Reports, 1960–61, of the licensing authorities appointed under the Road Traffic Act 1960, and, in particular, the need to increase the number of commercial vehicles tested.—(Lord Shepherd.)

LORD CHESHAM

My Lords, it is unnecessary to say very much more, except that I accept the purport of what the noble Lord has said. I said a moment ago that all possibilities were being examined of increasing the efficiency of the testing machine, as it were, and that does not rule out the fact that it may at some stage be possible to increase the number or vary the duties of the vehicle examiners. This is a matter that shall also have attention. In accepting the noble Lord's Motion I must ask him to accept the qualification that as I undertake to lay before the House Papers at some stage I have already mentioned why it may take some considerable time before any Papers can be laid in the sense he wishes. If he will accept that, then I am happy to accept his Motion.

LORD SHEPHERD

The noble Lord will not preclude me from asking at a later stage: where are the Papers?

LORD CHESHAM

The noble Lord is not precluded from doing that in the slightest degree, and if I were able to tell him anything about progress, I would do so.

On Question, Motion agreed to.