HC Deb 08 March 1973 vol 852 cc193-5W
Mr. Alexander W. Lyon

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the average number of road accidents for each hour of the day for each day of the week for the latest period for which figures are available.

Mr. Peyton

Following are the figures for 1971:

Mr. Peyton

Information in the form requested is not available. In September 1972 there were about 22,000 vehicles of over 28 tons gross weight in Great Britain. Only a small number, used for special purposes, would have a gross permitted weight of over 32 tons but the exact number is not known.

Mr. Thomas Cox

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what safety tests have been carried out on lorries in the greater London area in each of the last three years; and if he will make a statement;

(2) what noise and smoke tests have been carried out on lorries in the greater London area during each of the last three years; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Peyton

All heavy goods vehicles are inspected annually at Government testing stations. Figures for stations in the GLC area are:

Years—beginning 1st April No. of Tests
1970–71 109,600
1971–72 110,300
1972–73 (9 months) 82,800

Inspections are also made at operators' premises and in roadside spot checks. Figures are not available for the GLC area alone. For the Metropolitan Traffic Area they are:

Years—beginning 1st October No. of Tests
1969–70 37,700
1970–71 45,200
1971–72 39,800

All tests include safety, silencer and smoke checks.