§ Mr. Campbell-Savoursasked the Secretary of State for Transport (1) whether, in the light of financial restrictions imposed on the operation of traffic examiners and enforcement officers, he is satisfied that resources exist (a) to allow prosecutions to be brought, (b) to complete proper legal procedures on prosecution and (c) to enable departmental officials to monitor vehicles;
(2) in what way he assesses the savings to his Deprtment to be gained from the introduction of the use of traffic examiners in the preparation and prosecution of summary cases before the lower courts;
(3) what changes he is proposing in the use of traffic examiners in the prosecution of summary cases before the lower courts;
(4) whether he will make a statement on the findings of the organisation and method review of enforcement and the use of traffic examiners for the preparation and prosecution of summary cases before the lower courts;
§ Mrs. ChalkerThe many recommendations made in the Department's review of the organisation and methods of enforcement by traffic examiners are being considered. Those that contribute to more cost-effective enforcement will be implemented.
Trials have been arranged in 2 traffic areas to evaluate the costs and savings of using Traffic Examiners for presenting guilty plea cases in court, although that was not recommended by the Review.
I expect that the recent increase in the number of traffic examiners and implementation of the recommendations in 222W the Department's review of traffic examiner enforcement, will together provide for a satisfactory level of enforcement. This will be kept under regular review.