HC Deb 14 July 1988 vol 137 c332W
Mr. Michael Brown

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will consider seeking to amend the Road Traffic Acts to enable road hauliers to seek a defence, if prosecuted, of due diligence in cases of overloaded heavy goods vehicles.

Mr. Peter Bottomley

No. Road haulage operators are responsible for ensuring that they and their drivers observe the law on overloading.