HL Deb 29 January 2003 vol 643 cc168-9WA
Lord Berkeley

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What steps they propose to take to ensure the independence of traffic commissioners following the proposed merger of their staff with the Vehicle Inspectorate; and what representations they have received concerning the proposal. [HL1236]

Lord Macdonald of Tradeston

Traffic commissioners are independent of the Department for Transport. They are supported by Department for Transport staff in the Traffic Area Network (TAN). The position of traffic commissioners will be unchanged by the merger of TAN with the Vehicle Inspectorate staff to form the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA). TAN will be a separate division of VOSA. No representations have been received concerning the proposal.