§ Mr. LidingtonTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the cost to the Vehicles Inspectorate of operating the Smoky Vehicle Hotline was in each of the past four years; what the estimated cost is for the present year; and if he will make a statement. [74704]
§ Mr. JamiesonThe smoky vehicle hotline is one of several services provided by the Vehicle Inspectorate through its general enquiry unit. Hotline calls may also be made to the Inspectorate's area offices. For these reasons I cannot give an individual cost for the service. The costs are met within the total operational costs of the agency.
Smoky vehicle hotline calls recorded by the Vehicle Inspectorate Category April 2002–August 2002 01/02 00/01 99/00 98/99 HGV 88 465 1,042 2,139 4,441 PSV 112 310 824 1,524 2,965 Other 74 304 656 743 1,693 Total 274 1,079 2,522 4,406 9,099 Of which calls actionable 151 469 1,405 2,611 —