§ Mr. CoxTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what was the number of motor coaches stopped by the police forces during the month of September for a vehicle condition check-up, how many(a) were found to have faults and (b) were refused permission to complete their journey, pending repairs to their vehicles; and if he will make a statement. [58298]
§ Mr. BoatengI have been asked to reply.
Figures for the numbers of motor coaches stopped by police officers during September are not available centrally, but I can report the coach checks recorded by the Vehicle Inspectorate (VI) in that period. Police officers exercise their power to stop moving traffic to enable VI to examine vehicles during multi-agency checks, and the VI also examines coaches whilst they are parked to minimise traffic disruption. In the latter cases, police officers would not be involved.
118W
Checks on coaches by Vehicle Inspectorate examiners during September 1998 Number Full roadside checks by VI examiners 1,328 Prohibition notices issued 164 (of which 76 had immediate effect, preventing coaches from continuing their journeys)
Checks on coaches by Vehicle Inspectorate examiners during September 1998 Number Roadside emissions checks by VI examiners 659 Prohibition notices issued 19 (of which one had immediate effect)