HC Deb 28 January 1988 vol 126 c317W
Mr. Biffen

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if, having regard to safety factors, he will authorise the raising of the 16 tonne gross weight of a two-axle tractor unit in line with the gross weight now allowed for two-axle trucks.

Mr. Peter Bottomley

Two-axle tractor units with a minimum axle spacing of 2.7 m have since May 1983 been permitted a gross weight of 17 tonnes provided the vehicle has a total train weight of more than 32.52 tonnes. Statutory Instrument 1987 No. 676 removes that proviso and fixes the maximum gross weight of two-axle rigid lorries also at 17 tonnes. The SI comes into effect on 1 April 1988.