§ Mrs. DunwoodyTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many multi-agency stops were carried out by his Department with other agencies in the last 12 months; where they took place; and how many multi-agency stops were carried out in 1997–98. [114534]
§ Mr. HillThe police organised seven national, co-ordinated multi-agency enforcement exercises in 1999–2000, which were supported by Vehicle Inspectorate and other enforcement agencies. Each exercise consisted of checks on vehicles carried out at between 70 and 100 sites throughout Great Britain, including Motorway Service Areas, Weighbridge Sites, Goods Vehicle Test Stations and other roadside locations.
Seven similar exercises were organised by the police in 1998–99; an additional check was also arranged to inspect vehicles travelling to and from ports serving the Irish Sea. Six exercises were organised in 1997–98.