Mr. William O?BrienTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) when he expects to report to Parliament following the consultation on the future of the vehicle inspectorate; and if he will make a statement;
(2) what steps he will take to ensure that road safety will be monitored in any changes that may be made in future vehicle testing following the current consultation exercise; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Kenneth CarlisleMy right hon. Friend is currently considering the responses to our consultation on the future of the vehicle inspectorate's heavy goods and passenger carrying vehicles testing functions and will make an announcement in due course. As the consultation paper made clear, the Government are determined that under all options for the future, existing standards of vehicle testing should be maintained and where possible improved.