§ Mr. Deakinsasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if any lorries heavier than the maximum permitted weights on 31st December 1972 have subsequently been admitted to the United Kingdom.
§ Mr. PeytonThere has been no change in maximum permitted weights since 1964. My officers continue to apply the powers of the Foreign Vehicles Act to enforce observance of British regulations on weight limits. In the period 1st-12th January 1973, 39 vehicles were found to be overloaded, and were forced to off-load.
§ Mr. Deakinsasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what legislation both primary and secondary, applies in respect of the admission of heavy lorries to the United Kingdom with effect from 1st January 1973.
§ Mr. PeytonI have nothing to add to the answer which I gave to the Hon. Member for West Ham, North (Mr. Arthur Lewis) on 6th December.—[Vol. 847, c. 410–2.]
§ Mr. Deakinsasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he is satisfied that there has been an adequate allocation of lorry licences by the EEC for United Kingdom use in 1973.
§ Mr. Alfred Morrisasked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what steps he is taking in relation to the allocation of lorry licences for the United Kingdom for use in the EEC during 1973;
(2) what representations he has made to the EEC Council of Ministers or Commission about the allocation to the United Kingdom of licences for lorry operation.
§ Mr. PeytonI am not satisfied with the share of the Community quota allocated to the United Kingdom. Our case 103W for a substantially larger share is being vigorously presented in the Special Working Group set up by the Counucil of the Six.
§ Mr. Alfred Morrisasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what are the latest steps he has taken to prevent the entry into the United Kingdom of Continental lorries exceeding the axle or overall weight prescribed by United Kingdom regulations.
§ Mr. PeytonFollowing the implementation of the Foreign Vehicles Act, enforcement at the ports has been progressively increased. My Department has taken steps to secure the provisions as soon as practicable of adequate weighing facilities at all roll-on/roll-off ports, where these do not already exist. I have also authorised 25 per cent. more enforcement staff.