§ Mr. FearnTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will bring forward legislation to empower county councils to confiscate lorries found to be above the load limits.
§ Mr. ChopeNo. Local authority trading standards offices already have powers to prohibit overloaded vehicles from further movement and to prosecute drivers and operators. Licensing authorities have the power to revoke operators' licences where there is persistent or serious overloading.
§ Mr. FearnTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will consult the Association of County Councils over measures to curb the hauliers of cargoes transported on overloaded lorries.
§ Mr. ChopeThere is regular discussion with local authority associations, including the Association of County Councils, on overloading issues, and how to deal with them.
§ Mr. FearnTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessments his Department has undertaken on the number of road accidents which have been caused by overloaded lorries.