§ Mr. Parkinsonasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what counts his Department has made of vehicles emitting excessive smoke; what were the results; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Eldon GriffithsNational surveys of heavy goods vehicles made by over 100 of my Department's examiners have been carried out over the last three years. Results were:
Vehicles counted Vehicles observed to be emitting excessive smoke 1970 35,518 4,127 1971 33,351 1,551 1972 33,396 4,951 All goods vehicles inspections by the Department's examiners include a check for excesive smoke. If it is observed at a roadside check, a prohibition or defect notice is issued; if in the annual test at government testing stations, a certificate is refused.
Too many large vehicles are making unnecessary smoke. I am therefore reviewing ways of strengthening controls over vehicles in use, including the possibility of replacing the present visual smoke check by an instrument test.