§ Mr. Roger KingTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what level of inspection will be adopted by his Department to ensure that the fitting of heavy goods vehicle speed limiters on existing vehicles by operators has been carried out correctly;
(2) if he will set out the procedures to be adopted by heavy goods vehicle operators when the fitting of speed-limiting devices on existing vehicles becomes obligatory.
§ Mr. ChopeAll new HGVs over 7.5 tonnes maximum gross weight will have to be fitted with speed limiters as from 1 August 1992. It is intended that compliance with the requirement should be checked when vehicles are type-approved, and at subsequent annual roadworthiness tests.
Regulations covering existing vehicles will be made shortly. They will require limiters to be fitted to the more recently registered of the biggest and heaviest HGVs already in service. Compliance with this requirement will be checked at annual roadworthiness tests.
§ Sir Anthony GrantTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps he is taking to ensure the wearing of seatbelts by passengers in heavy goods vehicles and vans.
§ Mr. ChopePassengers travelling in the specified passenger seat are required to use a seat belt where one is fitted. Responsibility for enforcing the law rests with the police. We take every opportunity to stress the benefits of using belts, and of fitting them in vehicles which do not already have them.