§ Mr. Matthew TaylorTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what are the total numbers from 1976 to 1987 for lorries over 7.5 tonnes, over 16 tonnes, over 24 tonnes, over 32.5 tonnes and over 38 tonnes.
§ Mr. Peter BottomleyThe information requested is shown in the table, but with a number of qualifications. No information was collected on goods vehicles over 38 tonnes prior to 1983. Since then only about 50 have been identified each year. Information is available for goods, vehicles over 32 tonnes but not for those over 32.5 tonnes. Before 1982, information was not available for vehicles over 7.5 tonnes, so the number over 8.5 tonnes has been included in the table. There have been a number of changes in tax class definitions and in the vehicle census methodology, which make some of the earlier figures less reliable.
Heavy goods vehicles currently licensed in Great Britain1976 to 1987 Thousands >7.5tonnes >16tonnes >24tonnes >32tonnes 1987 289 227 138 83 1986 284 218 131 79 1985 285 212 127 76 1984 291 212 127 78 1983 294 208 124 75 1982 299 206 125 76 1981 1328 214 128 75 1980 1361 236 144 90 1979 1369 234 138 88 1978 1361 223 128 50 1977 1357 215 119 67 1976 1374 147 89 2— 1> 8.5 tonnes. 2 Not available.