§ Lord Houghton of Sowerbyasked Her Majesty's Government:
What number of motor rallies were authorised by (a) the RAC and (b) chief constables of police 64WA during 1988 and 1989 respectively under the provisions of the Motor Vehicles (Competitions and Trials) Regulations 1969 and how these figures compare with the averages for earlier years.
§ The Minister of State, Department of Transport (Lord Brabazon of Tara)The RAC authorised 254 and 253 motor rallies in 1988 and 1989 respectively. The number of authorisations issued by the RAC has fallen steadily since the peak of 765 authorisations in 1970.
These events are authorised by the RAC under the Motor Vehicles (Competitions and Trials) Regulations 1969. The police do not have a separate power to authorise such events but the regulations require the RAC to notify the appropriate chief officer of police.