§ Mr. Austin MitchellTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) how many lorries from Fewston Transport of Skipton have been employed on motorway building or maintenance contracts; whether Fewston's vehicles have ever been checked or prosecuted for safety infringements; and if he will make a statement;
(2) whether he will exclude Fewston Transport of Skipton from all future and present motorway contracts;
(3) what requirements on vehicle safety are imposed on contractors and subcontractors on motorway projects; what inspection procedures are in place for vehicle safety; and what sanctions are imposed on firms found running unsafe vehicles.
§ Mr. KeyAll vehicles which use public roads must meet the relevant legal requirements, the enforcement of which is a matter for the police and the Department of Transport's vehicle inspectors.
The vehicle inspectorate has conducted annual roadworthiness tests and roadside spot checks on vehicles belonging to Fewston Transport; the operator has not been prosecuted under his current licence for any vehicle roadworthiness defects or for being overweight.
The Department has no contracts directly with Fewston Transport although the firm may have been engaged as haulage contractors by other contractors or suppliers working on the Department's trunk roads and motorways.
The Department's contracts require compliance with the law generally. We are considering the practicality of a specific requirement that main contractors ensure all goods vehicles using the site are covered by a valid operator's 5W licence. Persistent failure to do so would be a factor taken into account in offering future opportunities to tender for departmental contracts.
The Department has also formed a joint working group on illegal operations to address the problem of illegal operators and to coordinate enforcement action against them.