§ Mr. Moateasked the Secretary of State for Transport what is the number of enforcement officers currently employed to examine vehicles on the road for the purpose of checking lorry weights and drivers' hours; and how this number compares with the authorised establishment.
§ Mr. William RodgersMy Department currently employs 210 examiners for this purpose. The authorised establishment is 240. Most local authorities also employ inspectors to check lorry weights and authorised police officers check both lorry weights and drivers' hours, but the numbers of each are not readily available.
§ Mr. Moateasked the Secretary of State for Transport how many enforcement officers are engaged at night in checking drivers' hours and lorry weights; and if he is satisfied with the degree of enforcement of the regulations.
§ Mr. William RodgersExaminers work irregular hours in response to local needs. In ports this depends on the time of arrival of ships and night checks are frequent. Most inland weighbridges are not available at night and daytime checks334W are in general more productive. I am always looking for ways to improve the level of enforcement.