HC Deb 27 January 1975 vol 885 c54W
Mr. Golding

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will take steps to tighten the checks on foreign heavy goods vehicles when operating in this country.

Mr. Carmichael

Substantial progress is being made. Weighing facilities at the ports are being improved. Over the last two years my Department's enforcement staff has been increased by 25 per cent. and checked over 50 per cent. more foreign lorries in 1974 than in 1973. The proportion meriting prohibition dropped from about 18 per cent. to 13 per cent. The police and local authority officials are also active in the matter.