§ Mr. Buchananasked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list in the Official Report the following information
Checked Overloaded (Gross, Axle or Both) Summonses Prosecutions(2) Average fine £ 1974 United Kingdom vehicles … 26,468 5,990 3,558 1,693 31.55 Foreign vehicles … 8,700 800 — — — Total … 35,168 6,790 1975 United Kingdom vehicles … 30,939 6,771 3,797 2,391 42.63 Foreign vehicles … 10,497 982 — — — Total … 41,436 7,753 1976 United Kingdom vehicles … 22,210 5,782 3,524 2,296 49.22 Foreign vehicles(3) … 8,600 970 — — — Total … 30,810 6,752 Notes: (1) Figures are for Department's activities. Local authority and police checks represent a substantial addition, but figures are not readily available. (2) Figures are for all Department prosecutions, of which it is estimated that over 90 per cent. are successful. (3) Figure is for January to November only. (4) Foreign drivers are not prosecuted by the Department for practical reasons; prohibition and delay until the excess is off-loaded to a British vehicle constitutes an effective deterrent.