§ Mrs. DunwoodyTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the number of counties in which major checks have been carried out on the motorways in598W the last 12 months, to discover how many heavy goods vehicles were unfit for use; and whether he will hold talks with the Association of Chief Police Officers on the effectiveness and frequency of exercises such as that carried out by Staffordshire county constabulary.
§ Mr. Peter BottomleyIn the 12 months to the end of June 1989, major vehicle checks were carried out in 23 counties; 470 goods vehicles were prohibited from further movement for offences including overloading, mechanical defects and breach of the drivers hours rules.
The Department regularly holds liaison meetings with the Home Office and representatives of the Association of Chief Police Officers at which enforcement procedures and other matters are discussed. The vehicle checks carried out by Staffordshire police are effective both in enforcing the law and increasing inter-agency co-operation. The Department's enforcement staff will continue to assist the police in Staffordshire and elsewhere in holding checks on motorways.