HL Deb 04 November 1986 vol 481 cc1095-6WA
Lord Houghton of Sowerby

asked Her Majesty's Government:

  1. (i) How many applications were made to the RAC Motor Sports Association Ltd. for authority to hold motor rallies on public highways during 1985;
  2. (ii) How many were granted and how many granted in the county of Surrey;
  3. (iii) What is the scale of fees at present in force; and
  4. (iv) To whom is the RAC accountable in the public interest, and what right of appeal or proceedings for redress are open to residents on grounds of nuisance caused by events authorised by the RAC.

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Transport (Lord Brabazon of Tara)

In 1985, 393 applications were received and 324 were authorised by the RAC Motor Sports Association Ltd. Of these, 12 took place in Surrey. The current scale of fees is as follows:—

  1. (a) £1.40p per vehicle for events the route of which on the public highway does not exceed 100 miles.
  2. (b) £2.10p per vehicle for events the route of which on the public highway exceeds 100 miles but does not exceed 150 miles.
  3. (c) £2.80p per vehicle for events the route of which on the public highway exceeds 150 miles but does not exceed 200 miles.
  4. (d) £5.60p per vehicle for events the route of which on the public highway exceeds 200 miles.

The RAC Motor Sports Association Ltd. authorise events on behalf of the Secretary of State. They are required by the regulations to take into account the safety, amenity or convenience of members of the public. To that end, the association impose further requirements on organsers to carry out public relations work before authorisation. This varies from visits and letters for the competitive sections, to notices for the non-competitive link sections. In the light of views received, the RAC can require the route to be varied, or in the case of complaints subsequent to the event they may withhold authorisation for future events. Failure to comply with the regulations by the organisers is a criminal offence.