§ Mr. Bidwellasked the Minister of Transport what consideration he has given to the privatisation of heavy goods vehicles testing stations; and what conclusions he has come to.
§ Mr. FowlerThe policy paper "New arrangements for testing heavy goods vehicles and public service vehicles", which I published on 7 August, outlines my proposals. I am sending the hon. Member a copy.
§ Dr. McDonaldasked the Minister of Transport if he will list in the Official Report the representations received by his Department for and against the proposals for new arrangements for testing heavy goods vehicles and public service vehicles contained in the August policy document; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Fowler[pursuant to his reply, 31 October 1980, c.400]: I have received 126 representations in response to my policy document. The majority of these, 71 in total, are from private sector companies interested in becoming involved in testing under the new arrangements. For 596W reasons of commercial confidentiality I shall not name these companies. Five individuals have written supporting my proposals.
Representations opposing them have been received from:
In addition, seven hon. Members have passed on to me similar views from their constituents.
- Amalgamated Union of Engineering Workers (Engineering Section) No. 5 Ipswich Branch British Railways Board
- Confederation of British Passenger Transport
- Co-operative Union Ltd. Parliamentary Committee
- Convention of Scottish Local Authorities
- Freight Transport Association
- Institute of Road Transport Engineers
- Institute of Road Transport Engineers, Manchester and District Centre
- Institute of Traffic Administration
- Institute of Transport Managers
- Institution of Professional Civil Servants
- Inverness and District Trades Council
- National Bus Company
- North Kesteven District Council
- Northumberland County Council
- Road Haulage Association
- Sand and Gravel Association
- Transport 2000, West Midlands
- United Road Transport Union
- West Middlesex Coach Operators' Association and 11 individuals.
I have also received a number of representations which give no firm opinion on the principle of transfer to the private sector, but make useful detailed comments and suggestions on the way it should be done. These are from:
- Association of County Councils
- Association of District Councils
- British Multiple Retailers Association
- Central Electricity Generating Board
- Confederation of British Industry
- Greater London Council
- Institution of Municipal Engineers
- National Farmers Union
- National Freight Corporation
and 4 individuals.
§ Sir David Priceasked the Minister of Transport how many representations he has received in response to his policy document proposing to transfer his Department's heavy goods vehicles testing stations to private operators; how many of such representations support his proposal; and how many oppose it.
§ Mr. FowlerI refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Thurrock (Dr. McDonald) today.
§ Sir David Priceasked the Minister of Transport when he expects to be able to make a definitive statement about his 597W proposals to transfer his Department's heavy goods vehicles testing stations to private operators.
§ Mr. FowlerSoon.
§ Sir David Priceasked the Minister of Transport if he will summarise in the Official Report the reasons why he believes that the statutory testing scheme for heavy goods vehicles and public service vehicles should be transferred from his Department to private operators.
§ Mr. FowlerI see no case for retaining testing in the public sector and employing large numbers of civil servants, when the private sector can provide a service better suited to the needs of the road transport industries, without lowering safety standards.