§ Mr. ChidgeyTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many complaints have been received by the Vehicle Inspectorate's smoky vehicle hotline in each of the last five years; and how many prosecutions have resulted from complaints in each year. [11466]
§ Ms Glenda JacksonI have asked the chief executive of the Vehicle Inspectorate agency to write to the hon. Member.
528WLetter from Ron Oliver to Mr. David Chidgey, dated 31 July 1997:
The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question concerning the number of complaints received by the Vehicle Inspectorate's Smoky Vehicle Hotline in each of the last 5 years; and how many prosecutions have resulted from complaints in each year.The total number of reports received via the Hotline for each of the past 5 years is as follows:
- 1992/93: 2,481
- 1993/94: 2,887
- 1994/95: 8,113
- 1995/96: 16,304
- 1996/97: 11,622
We do not have details of the number of prosecutions arising from these reports. Vehicle operators are initially asked to supply written evidence that the vehicle reported on complies with emissions limits. In cases where there is evidence of non-compliance, details are added to the maintenance data held on the vehicle operator (which includes previous Hotline reports). The information is used by the Inspectorate on a cumulative basis to target enforcement action against operators with apparent unsatisfactory maintenance standards. Follow-up action may result in prosecutions and/or action by Traffic Commissioners against a vehicle operators' licence.