Dip prepares to hive off the VCA
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• The Department of Transport's vehicle and components approval division is a candidate for semi-privatisation. It is to have "executive agency" status, says Roads and Traffic Minister Peter Bottomley.
With the 1987 annual report from the VCA showing continuing demand for vehicle type approval work — and no reduction likely in the immediate future — Bottomley has told MPs: "The certification work carried out by VCA staff makes an important contribution to road safety through checks on vehicle and equipment design and quality standards."
He says that during the past year steps have been taken to move to a businesslike footing, including unit-cost controls and performance targets. Now, he says, the VCA is geared to providing a cost-effective service for motor vehicle and component manufacturers."
According to the division's just-published annual report fees for testing parts and vehicles have been frozen because the VCA has made a profit of 2420,000. It issued 3,190 systems and components certificates, and 740 whole-vehicle certificates — but the profit was due to a low salary bill.