§ Mr. ThurnhamTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement about the current level of heavy goods vehicles on roads in the United Kingdom.
§ Mr. Peter BottomleyThe overall stock of heavy goods vehicles in the United Kingdom rose by 2 per cent, to stand at 459,000 at the end of 1987. The proportion of 38-tonne articulated vehicles—first introduced in 1983—within this stock is now about 10 per cent., these numbers having risen 20 per cent, in 1987. These vehicles, however, account for 40 per cent, of goods moved by HGVs and for over 20 per cent, of goods lifted.
It is estimated that the introduction of 38-tonne vehicles since 1983 has led to a saving of nearly 8,000 other HGVs that would have been required to cope with the current level of haulage activity.