§ Dr. MarekTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport in how many cases of which he is aware bus or coach operators have submitted more than one vehicle for test using the same set of tyres on the different vehicles so submitted.
§ Mr. Peter BottomleySuch records are not available Spot checks at operators' premises and of vehicles in use are normally carried out when operators are suspected of using vehicles in an unroadworthy condition.
§ Dr. MarekTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what action he proposes to take as a result of Ladyline Coaches of Cheshire recently submitting nine vehicles for test with the same set of tyres.
§ Mr. Peter BottomleyWe are not proposing to take further action as a result of these allegations.
Ladyline Coaches operates a fleet of eight buses varying in size from minibuses to large coaches. No more than four vehicles could have interchangeable tyres. The Department has no evidence to support the allegations regarding the use of the same tyres on more than one vehicle. In any case the practice is not illegal.
The Department's vehicle examiners inspected six of the operator's vehicles in January 1988. All were found to be in a satisfactory condition.