§ Mr. RedmondTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many spot checks were carried out on heavy goods vehicles and how many were found(a) not to have a valid heavy goods vehicle licence and (b) not to be insured in the last year for which figures are available. [14451]
§ Mr. NorrisDuring 1994–95, the Vehicle Inspectorate carried out a total of 243,128 roadside traffic enforcement checks of UK registered vehicles and prosecuted 169 cases for various categories of offence relating to vehicle excise duty, such as expired or no vehicle excise duty or incorrect rate. The Vehicle Inspectorate takes forward a vehicle excise duty offence only where it is one of a number of offences found and the figures given relate to cases brought for prosecution by VI only. If a single VED offence is found, it is reported to the local vehicle registration office for action. I understand from the DVLA that in 1994–95, 800 such cases were pursued, of which 466 resulted in successful enforcement action.
We have no responsibility for the enforcement of insurance; this is a matter dealt with by the police.
§ Mr. RedmondTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects his Department's research into reducing water spray from heavy goods vehicles to be completed. [14488]
§ Mr. NorrisThe report on the work currently commissioned with Transport Research Laboratory is expected to be delivered to the Department by the end of March 1996.