Enforcement Complaints
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COMPLAINTS about a shortage of examiners were voiced when M.P.s discussed tile violation of licensing regulations in the Commons this week. They had bzen told by Vice-Admiral Hughes-Hallett that last year there had been 992 prosecutions for breach of conditions of B licences. 314.for Contract A and 14 for A licences. In 1962 the corresponding figures had been 1,401, 577 and nil—and in 1961, 1,528, 724 and 18. He said that about 140 officers were engaged on driving-hours enforcement at any one time, and there were no plans for augmenting the number. Labour Front Bench spokesman Mr. Robert MelUsh suggested that the trouble was there were not enough inspectors and asked what was being done. The Parliamentary Secretary agreed that there was a great deal of evasion, but said that the law was being actively enforced. Last year, there were 12,000 cases of lorry drivers working for longer than permitted .hours. The Minister was asked by Mr. N. G. Carmichael (Labour, Woodside) to consider issuing a Ministry logbook, with numbered pages. This would be very much welcomed by drivers.
Other points from Commons answers this week: Mr. Marples agreed that segregation of similar types of vehicles on a given stretch of road was attractive, hut it posed formidable problems. He was nevertheless exploring the possibility of giving London buses more priority. Later he refused to agree to set up a working party to study new methods of transport. Vice-Admiral Hughes-Hallett said R.R.L. studies did not suggest that deposits from diesel exhausts constituted a skid hazard of any importance. He also revealed that last year 2,481 goods, vehicles were involved in fatal accidents and 20,408 in accidents causing serious injury.