§ Mr. RedmondTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many heavy goods vehicles were(a) inspected and (b) found defective in the last year for which figures are available. [14489]
§ Mr. NorrisI have asked the Chief Executive of the Vehicle Inspectorate Executive Agency to write to the hon. Member.
415WLetter from Ron Oliver to Mr. Martin Redmond, dated 12 February 1996:
The Secretary of State had asked me to reply to your question concerning the number of heavy goods vehicles inspected and found defective in the last year for which figures are available.The number of vehicles inspected for their roadworthiness during the year April 1994—March 1995, and found with defects serious enough to warrant a prohibition being issued, is shown below.
Number of prohibitions Total number inspected Immediate Delayed Fleet checks 50,942 1,813 1,416 Roadside checks 115,157 9,633 9,971 Special checks (smoke checks and lighting checks) 14,878 70 401
§ Mr. RedmondTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what are the maximum driving hours within which HGV drivers must operate in the United Kingdom. [14521]
§ Mr. NorrisDrivers of HGVs over 3.5 tonnes, with the exception of vehicles used for certain purposes, are subject to European Union rules on drivers' hour. They may drive for not more than 90 hours in any fortnight, 56 hours between weekly rest periods, and nine hours between daily rest periods, extendable to 10 hours twice a week. They must also take a break of at least 45 minutes for every four and a half hours of driving.
Certain categories of HGV which are exempt from the EU rules are subject to United Kingdom national rules on drivers' hours which restrict daily driving to 10 hours and daily duty to 11 hours.