§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for the Environment on what date he received the communication from the hon. Member for West Ham, North, regarding several matters connected with enforcement of the 34 stated Statutory Orders connected with road traffic; and what was the nature of his reply.
§ Mr. PeytonOn 3rd February. The hon. Member has asked Questions about the matters dealt with in this letter which are being answered today.
§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will give the numbers of staff employed on enforcement of the Road Traffic Act of 1960 and the Transport Act, 1968, and 45W the various stated regulations in connection therewith, in the London area and on a national basis.
§ Mr. Peyton456 Vehicle Examiners and 191 traffic examiners are employed throughout the country; the figures for London are 60 and 27 respectively. In addition 166 vehicle examiners are employed in heavy goods vehicle testing stations; 16 of these are in London.
§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will give details of the salary scales of his road traffic enforcement staff, the present promotion prospects of the various stated grades, and the opportunities for permanent promotion.
§ Mr. PeytonThe number of posts with salary scales in the vehicle examiner and traffic examiner organisations are as follows:
Staff in London receive in addition London weighting allowances of £75 (Outer) and £125 (Inner).
Number of posts Salary scales £ Vehicle Examiner Grade III 210 1,092–1,643 Vehicle Examiner Grade II 336 1,643–1,897 Senior Vehicle Examiner 78 1,897–2,359 Chief Vehicle Examiner 28 2,359–2,650 Traffic Examiner 173 1,228–1,405 Senior Traffic Examiner 27 1,535–1,737 In addition to the normal promotion opportunities senior traffic examiners have a recognised promotion outlet to executive officer. All grades can be considered for those vacancies in other parts of the Department for which applications are invited on an open basis.
§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether, in view of the specialised nature of the work performed by his road traffic enforcement staff and their need to know the various Acts of Parliament and Regulations, he is satisfied that the salary scales now paid and promotional opportunities are such as to encourage the right type of recruit; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. PeytonNo special difficulties have been encountered in recent years in filling vacancies.
§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will give, for the longest convenient stated 46W period of time, the number of staff in his road traffic enforcement department who have left or resigned, and for a similar period the number of these that have been replaced.
§ Mr. PeytonOver the past three years six traffic examiners and 19 vehicle examiners have resigned. In the same period other losses due to retirements, death and regradings have amounted to 20 and 24 respectively. Replacements are provided as necessary.
§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether, in view of the increased amount of legislation dealing with various aspects of road transport and enforcement of regulations connected with same, he will give an assurance that he has sufficient staff within his Department to deal with these matters.
§ Mr. PeytonYes.
§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many Government-owned weighbridges are being operated in the Greater London area being used for the weighing and certifying of vehicles, and whether these are sufficient for the purposes as laid down in the Road Traffic Acts.
§ Mr. PeytonSix. Additional public weighbridges are hired as necessary.
§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he is aware that a weighing check on vehicles can reveal many offences against Road Traffic Act, other than those involving a weighing under the Construction and Use Regulations, 1969; and whether he will take appropriate action.
§ Mr. PeytonYes, and the enforcement officers already act accordingly.
§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what action he intends to take to increase his enforcement staff and all connected with the enforcement of the 34 Regulations under the Road Traffic Acts, in view of the failure of the present staff to carry out these duties, due to lack of officials and facilities for implementing the various Road Traffic Acts.
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§ Mr. PeytonI do not accept that there has been any failure on the part of the staff to carry out enforcement duties.