§ Mr. Clifford Forsytheasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many prosecutions have been made under the Road Traffic, Transport and Roads (NI) Order 1984 against persons who have driven heavy vehicles on the public highway which have been in excess of the permitted maximum axle weight; and in how many cases a conviction resulted.
§ Mr. Chris PattenI shall reply to the hon. Gentleman as soon as possible.
§ Mr. Clifford Forsytheasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the maximum penalty for driving a heavy commercial vehicle on the public highway in excess of the maximum permitted axle weight; in how many cases conviction has been followed by the imposition of the maximum penalty; and how many convictions were of Northern Ireland and of Republic of Ireland residents.
§ Mr. Clifford Forsytheasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the present maximum axleweight upon which a heavy commercial vehicle may travel on public roads in Northern Ireland; and how this limit has changed in the last five years.
§ Mr. Chris Patten10,500 kg, which represents one increase from 10,170 kg in the previous five years.
§ Mr. Clifford Forsytheasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) what additional resources have been made available to enforce the provisions of the Road Traffic, Roads and Transport (NI) Order 1984 with regard to vehicle inspection and illegal parking of heavy commercial vehicles;
(2) how many prosecutions have been made under the Road Traffic, Transport and Roads (NI) Order 1984 against persons who have parked heavy vehicles on verges or footways; in how many cases a conviction resulted; and how many of those convicted were resident within Northern Ireland and how many in the Republic of Ireland;
(3) what is the maximum penalty for parking a heavy vehicle on a verge or footway; and, in how many cases a conviction has been followed by the imposition of the maximum penlty.