Test station fall
Page 7
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
ALTHOUGH the number of tests carried out at heavy goods vehicle testing stations has been rising, there was a drop in profits during the last financial year.
Transport Minister Norman Fowler, revealed in the Commons last week that the number of tests had been 869,318 in 1977/78, 892,342 during the next financial year, and 896,399 in 1979-80.
Expenditure and income during these three years had been 0,875m and £8.213m, £7.633m and £9.463m, and £8.842m and £9.998m respectively.
Testing fees, said Mr Fowler, were set at the start of a 12-month period and based on estimated costs and throughput. Costs and income were intended to balance, but a particular period might show a surplus or loss depending how circumstances changed during the year.
Answering a question from David Watkins (Labour, Consett) he said that, excluding the proceeds of disposals the Exchequer would be unaffected by transferring the work out of the Civil Service.