HC Deb 25 November 1985 vol 87 cc414-5W
Mr. Cartwright

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what steps his Department takes to check on the roadworthiness of heavy goods vehicles; and if he will make a statement.

Mrs. Chalker

All heavy goods vehicles over 30 cwt unladen weight, except for a few special exemptions, are subject to an annual roadworthiness inspection conducted in one of the Department's 91 heavy goods vehicle testing stations.

This test includes all major safety components on both motor vehicles and trailers and comprises 66 areas of inspection. Details are set out in the goods vehicle tester's manual, published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office.

Goods vehicles are subject to a roadside spot check by examiners from the Vehicle Inspectorate. A defective vehicle may be prohibited from use immediately or with delayed effect depending upon the severity of the defect. Each prohibition must be cleared by a further inspection which usually takes place at a heavy goods vehicle testing station. Over 42,000 vehicles were spot checked last year, of which about 6 per cent. were issued with an immediate prohibition and a further 13 per cent. with delayed prohibitions.

Other goods vehicle inspections are carried out by vehicle examiners on private premises or at HGV testing stations usually in connection with operator's licensing. Vehicles found to be defective may be prohibited. In addition the whole fleet may be subjected to an inspection, and a review may also be undertaken of the operator's maintenance arrangements. The results of such checks are provided to the Licensing Authority for his use in decisions regarding the grant or revocation of the operator's licence.

Mr. Lord

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what percentage of all recorded motor vehicle accidents in the United Kingdom in the last five years involved heavy lorries.

Mrs. Chalker

Data are held centrally for Great Britain only. For the years 1982, 1983 and 1984 the figure was 5 per cent. Further years could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Mr. Lord

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what percentage of recorded motor vehicle accidents on motorways in the last five years involved heavy lorries.

Mrs. Chalker

For the years 1982, 1983 and 1984 the percentages are 20, 20 and 19 respectively. Further years could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Mr. Lord

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what percentage of recorded motor vehicle accidents on trunk roads in the last five years involved heavy lorries.

Mrs. Chalker

Data on accidents on trunk roads are readily available for England only, for 1983 and 1984.

The figure for both 1983 and 1984 was 12 per cent.

Mr. Lord

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what percentage of all recorded motor vehicle accidents in the United Kingdom in the last five years involved lorries registered outside the United Kingdom.

Mrs. Chalker

Data are only held centrally for Great Britain. For the years 1982, 1983 and 1984 the figures are 0.08, 0.08, 0.09 per cent. respectively. Further years' data could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.