HC Deb 13 October 1969 vol 788 cc29-30W
Mr. John Page

asked the Minister of Transport how many commercial vehicles have been tested since 1st October, 1968; how many spot checks have been carried out on such vehicles; what were the percentages of defective and non-defective vehicles in these two categories; and what future proposals the Minister has for improving the standard of commercial vehicle maintenance.

Mr. Mulley

Between 1st October, 1968, and 31st August, 1969, 354,126 tests and retests of goods vehicles were carried out at Ministry testing stations. In 30 per cent. of cases, the vehicles failed to pass the test for various reasons and were refused test certificates. Spot checks were carried out on 87,274 goods vehicles during the same period and 38 per cent. of the vehicles were found to be defective. The number of vehicles in the spot checks which had previously been tested at Ministry testing stations is not known.

The main purpose of operators' licensing, which begins next year, is to help improve goods vehicle maintenance standards and keep unsafe vehicles off the roads.

Mr. John Page

asked the Minister of Transport how many commercial vehicles were found defective due to spot checks carried out since 1st October, 1968; how many charges were preferred against drivers and owners of such vehicles; what were the average fines introduced by the courts in such cases; and whether he has any proposals for tightening up the regulations.

Mr. Mulley

Between 1st October, 1968, and 31st August, 1969, 33,507 goods vehicles were found to be defective at spot checks; 8,992 of these vehicles were found to be so seriously defective as to merit immediate prohibition from the roads. I regret that corresponding figures of prosecutions and fines are not available.

Maximum penalties for operating unsafe goods vehicles were increased in recent legislation, and licensing authorities will have wide powers under the Transport Act, 1968, to revoke the operators' licences of persons who put such vehicles on the roads. I do not therefore have proposals for further changes at present.