§ Mr. SpeedTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many heavy goods vehicles from abroad are currently checkweighed each month; what proportion of the total number this represents; and what proportion are found to be overweight.
§ Mr. Peter BottomleyMonthly statistics are not available. The Department expects to weigh some 8,800 foreign vehicles during the current financial year. This represents nearly 3 per cent of the incoming foreign vehicle movements. Many vehicles are regular visitors,24W which increases the probability of being weighed at some time during the year. About 24 per cent. of the vehicles weighed are found to be overloaded. Checking is targeted on vehicles likely to be overweight.