§ Dr. MarekTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what mechanisms are in place to measure the performance of area traffic commissioners. [48853]
§ Ms Glenda JacksonTraffic Commissioners are independent quasi-judicial authorities appointed by the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions and are classed as tribunals. Traffic Commissioners' main function is to administer the licensing regime for operators of heavy goods vehicles, buses and coaches. The Commissioners' performance in fulfilling these functions is measured and reported against published service standards. Each Commissioner is required to submit an annual report of his licensing activities to the Secretary of State. These reports are published and copies are available in the Library of the House.
In their capacity as tribunals, Traffic Commissioners are supervised by the independent Council of Tribunals which regularly sits in on Public Inquiries to observe proceedings. Operator licence holders can appeal to the Transport Tribunal against decisions of Traffic Commissioners. Traffic Commissioners and their Deputies held 1,700 Public Inquiries in the year ended 31 March 1998. In the same period, the Transport Tribunal heard 30 appeals, of which 19 were disallowed.