§ Mr. Parrisasked the Secretary of State for Transport how many safety checks on lorries were carried out by inspectors of his Department in 1981; and what percentage of lorries tested in the following weight categories 1½ to 3 tons, 3 to 4½ tons, 6 to 8 tons, 8 to 10 tons and over 10 tons had defective brakes.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeAll goods vehicles over 1½ tons unladen weight (HGVs) are required to undergo a statutory annual test and may also be subject to spot checks either at operators' premises or at the roadside. Vehicles involved in accidents may also be subject to a safety check.
In 1981, 533,243 HGVs (excluding trailers) were tested in the Department's 91 testing stations. The overall failure rate was 20 per cent. and on 12 per cent of the vehicles tested there were defects in braking systems. The information could not be provided by weight categories except at disproportionate cost.
Information on spot checks is as yet only available up to 30 September 1981. During the 12 months preceding that date 128,611 HGVs were checked and, as a result, 17,200 prohibition notices were issued. I regret that the defects found in those cases cannot be categorised either in relation to their specific nature or to the weight of the vehicles involved except with extreme difficulty and at disproportionate cost.