§ Mr. WardTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether he has concluded his consideration of the consultants' report on automated weighbridges referred to in his answer of 27 June 1990,Official Report, column 211; if he intends to extend the installation of automated weighing systems beyond the five points which already have this facility; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Chope[holding answer 17 April 1991]: The consultants found that certain automatic, self-weigh systems worked well technically, but were largely 175W ineffective without the presence of enforcement officers. We have, therefore, concluded that the most effective deterrent to overloading continues to be weight checks carried out by traffic examiners.
On the more general question of enforcement at weighbridge sites, at inland locations and at ferry ports, I have asked the vehicle inspectorate to review the Department's current programme. The review will he completed by the end of this year.