§ Mr. WatersonTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will consider measures to encourage the building and/or provision of high-powered ocean-going salvage tugs to be on station around the coasts of the United Kingdom.
§ Mr. Norris[holding answer 14 January 1993]: The EC Commission is undertaking a comprehensive study of the availability of salvage facilities (tugs) in the North sea. We have made our contribution to that work.
Mr. William O'BrienTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what are the targets set by his Department for roadside tests of vehicles for 1992–93 and 1993–94; and if he will list the number and category of vehicles tested.
§ Mr. Kenneth Carlisle[holding answer 14 January 1993]: Targets for roadworthiness checks at the roadside during 1992–93 are as follows:
Number Public Service Vehicles 23,900 Goods Vehicles exceeding 3,500 kg design gross weight 130,000 Cars and Goods Vehicles not exceeding 3,500 kg design in gross weight 72,000 Total 225,900 No targets have yet been set for 1993–94, but the inspectorate is planning on the basis that enforcement levels will be similar to 1992–93 for the first two categories.
March 1989 March 1990 March 1991 March 1992 October 1992 Tester 391 370 306 271 263 Assistant Vehicle Examiner 0 0 62 86 91 Professional and Technical Officer1 480 474 477 465 449 Senior Traffic Examiner2 — — — 38 31 Traffic Examiner2 — — — 175 172 1 A limited amount of Inspection work is done by more senior management staff. 2 Traffic Examiner grades were not part of the Vehicle Inspectorate until April 1991.
Mr. William O'BrienTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much capital has been invested in the Vehicle Inspectorate Agency in each of the past five years.
§ Mr. Kenneth Carlisle[holding answer 14 January 1993]: The following capital expenditure has been invested in the Vehicle Inspectorate in fixed assets in each of the past five years.
£000's cash Capital Spend 1988–89 2,443 1989–90 2,258 1990–91 3,476 1992–931 3,276 1 Forecaste.