§ Sir R. Russellasked the Minister of Transport how many roadside checks of motor vehicle exhaust fumes have been carried out in the past six months; in what districts; and what proportion of drivers stopped have been or are to be prosecuted for excessive smoke.
§ Mr. Tom FraserFull particulars of local roadside checks are not kept centrally. These checks, which are directed against defects generally and not only smoke, have been continuing on a small scale throughout the winter. As a result, 3,220 prohibition notices—278 with immediate effect—have been issued over the period of six months up to the end of January. Related figures for prosecutions are not at present available.
153WDuring the same period there has been one national check for the special purpose of dealing with excessive smoke. In the course of this check, drivers of 2,448 vehicles received prohibition notices, 99 of which had immediate effect; 18 prosecutions have so far been reported to me.