HC Deb 31 January 1980 vol 977 cc781-2W
Mr. Best

asked the Minister of Transport if he is satisfied that foreign heavy the future of the Advisory Council on Energy Conservation.

Mr. David Howell

Professor Sir William Hawthorne, FRS, who has been chairman of the Advisory Council on Energy Conservation since its inception, has indicated that he would now like to give up the chairmanship. The Government are grateful to him for all his efforts in the field of energy conservation and the leadership he has given to the council. In his place I have appointed Professor Sir Hermann Bondi, KCB, FRS, who is at present the chief scientist at my Department, as the new chairman. I have also taken the opportunity to reduce the size of the council.

The following existing members have agreed to continue to serve on the council:

lorries are complying with weight restrictions imposed in the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Fowler

In spite of a marked improvement after the Road Traffic (Foreign Vehicles) Act 1972, 13.5 per cent. of foreign vehicles checked in 1978 were prohibited for overloading. This is still unsatisfactory and we are taking steps to deal with the problem. My Department has in hand a national programme for installing more new inforcement axle weighbridges. Regular checks are held throughout the country, particularly at or near ports, and campaigns will be mounted to meet special problems.