HC Deb 17 April 1996 vol 275 cc508-9W
Mr. Chris Davies

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is the current sum devoted to enforcement of regulations against overloading of vehicles. [24894]

Mr. Norris

It is estimated that, in 1996–97, the Vehicle Inspectorate will devote about £2 million to the enforcement of the weight limits of goods vehicles.

Mr. Davies

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) how many vehicle weighing centres there are in the United Kingdom; and what is the average period during which they are in use;[24892]

(2) how many operators of heavy good vehicles were prosecuted for overloading in the last year for which information is available. [24891]

Mr. Norris

I have asked the chief executive of the Vehicle Inspectorate to write to the hon. Member.

Letter from Ron Oliver to Mr. Chris Davies, dated 17 April 1996: The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your questions on the number of HGV operators prosecuted for overloading offences and the number of vehicle weighing centres in the UK. In the financial year 1994/95, the Vehicle Inspectorate prosecuted 4,385 overloading offences (this number includes drivers and operators). The figure does not include any prosecutions taken by local authorities, Trading Standards and the Police, information for which we do not hold. The Vehicle Inspectorate is responsible for the maintenance and operation of 72 weighbridges throughout the UK. This figure does not include public weighbridges or private weighbridges (ie at operators' premises), information for which we do not keep. Information on the average period in which they are in use can only be provided at disproportionate cost. Roadside check programmes are arranged locally to allow maximum use of manpower and resources and use of the weighbridges will vary to ensure efficient use.

Mr. Davies

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate he has made of the proportion of journeys made by heavy goods vehicles operating in an overloaded condition.[24890]

Mr. Norris

No surveys have been carried out recently on which an estimate could be based.

However, in 1994–95 the Vehicle Inspectorate weighed 120,297 heavy goods vehicles of which 4,545 were prohibited from continuing their journey by reasons of being overloaded.

Mr. Davies

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what legal obligations are placed upon customers to ensure that operators carrying their goods do not overload vehicles. [24893]

Mr. Norris

None. It is the responsibility of the driver and operator to ensure that vehicles are not overloaded.

Mr. Davies

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will require customers to sign documentation indicating that they understand the loading restrictions placed upon the operators of heavy goods vehicles working on their behalf. [24895]

Mr. Norris

I have no plans to require customers to sign any form of documentation to this effect.