§ Mr. FlynnTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what percentage of heavy goods vehicle journeys were checked for excessive weights in each of the past six years; and what percentage of(a) British and (b) foreign vehicles were found to be over the weight limits.
§ Mr. AtkinsIt is estimated that in 1984–85 about 0.04 per cent. and 1987–88 about 0.05 per cent. of HGV journeys were checked for excessive weight. Figures for other years are not available.
The percentages of British and foreign vehicles from those checked found to be over the weight limits were as follows:
Year British Per cent. Foreign Per cent. 1984–85 23.4 27.6 1985–86 25.8 25.1 1986–87 24.2 27.6 1987–88 22.0 25.0 1988–89 18.5 24.9 The statistics relate to those vehicles weighed by Department of Transport and local authority trading standards enforcement staff. The police also weigh vehicles but no information on the numbers weighed is available.