§ Mr. Lennox-Boydasked the Secretary of State for Transport when he will reply to the fourth report of the 336W Select Committee on Transport on the proposed transfer of heavy goods vehicle and public service vehicle testing to the private sector.
§ Mr. David HowellI have written to the Chairman of the Transport Select Committee, the hon. Member for Leicester, East (Mr. Bradley) replying to the recommendations which the Committee made in its fourth report. I have told the Committee that I remain convinced of the benefits of transferring testing to the private sector. The Government should not be involved in activities which the private sector could carry out just as well. I have also told it that I entirely accept its recommendations on the need for full consultation with the industry. and that I have now reached agreement with the main vehicle operators' associations on new consultative arrangements, which include an advisory panel.
I will consult this panel on the key decisions about the future of the network, and it will be involved thereafter in helping me to monitor the performance of the system; I attach great importance to the contribution which it will make. I have also taken up the Committee's recommendation to explore further the possibility that testing might he undertaken by Lloyd's Register of Shipping—which I recognise would have advantages, particularly in the ease with which standards could be controlled. But that course remains at this stage only a possibility. A possible alternative remains the disposal, subject to proper safeguards, to a number of suitable private-sector testing companies. I have told the Committee that I shall be considering these options further.