§ Mr. SnapeTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what consultations have been held with existing traffic area staff about his proposals to turn the existing traffic areas into executive agencies.
§ Mr. KeyTraffic area office staff have been kept informed about the proposal for executive agency status and will be consulted as proposals are developed.
§ Mr. SnapeTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what consultations have been held between his Department and the Council on Tribunals about his proposals to turn the existing traffic areas into executive agencies; and whether agreement to such a proposal would need to be given by the Council on Tribunals.
§ Mr. KeyThe Council on Tribunals views will be sought before any decision is taken on whether to give the traffic area network executive agency status.
§ Mr. SnapeTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) if he will list the future responsibilities of traffic commissioners under his proposals to turn the existing traffic areas into executive agencies;
(2) what will be the relationship as regards decision making at traffic area office level between the traffic commissioner and the chief executive if his proposals to turn the existing traffic areas into executive agencies are implemented.
§ Mr. KeyThe responsibilities of the traffic commissioners for the licensing and disciplining of operators and drivers would remain unchanged if it were decided to 691W establish a traffic area network executive agency. The chief executive or director of the executive agency would be responsible for the management and performance of the traffic area offices, whose staff would continue to provide support for the traffic commissioners.
§ Mr. SnapeTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what consultations have been held with the road haulage industry about his proposals to turn the existing traffic areas into executive agencies.
§ Mr. KeyThe proposal for executive agency status is concerned with improving management and will not affect the operator licensing regime; nevertheless, any views expressed by the road haulage industry will be given careful consideration.
§ Mr. SnapeTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what consultations have been held with traffic commissioners about his proposals to turn the existing traffic areas into executive agencies.
§ Mr. KeyTraffic commissioners are being consulted through the senior traffic commissioner and are represented on the steering group that has been established to develop the proposals for agency status.