Written question asked by Elfyn Llwyd (Plaid Cymru) on Thursday, 26 March 1998, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 2 April 1998. It was answered by Glenda Jackson (Labour) on Thursday, 2 April 1998 on behalf of the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions.

Dept of the Environment Transport and the Regions

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what initiatives are being pursued to reduce the number of vehicles that are not legally roadworthy used on Welsh roads.

Answer: Mr. Llwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what initiatives are being pursued to reduce the number of vehicles that are not legally roadworthy used on Welsh roads. [37055] Ms Glenda Jackson: There are two main elements to the enforcement of vehicle roadworthiness in Wales, as in the rest of Great Britain. Almost all vehicles are required to pass an annual roadworthiness test to confirm that key safety and environmental standards are met. Vehicles are also subject to random enforcement checks by examiners from the Department's Vehicle Inspectorate and the police. The Inspectorate prohibits the use of vehicles found not to comply with construction and use or lighting requirements until the defects have been rectified (almost 15 per cent. of vehicles checked during 1996-97 in the South Wales Area were given prohibitions). The police assist the Inspectorate but also carry out enforcement under their own initiatives.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 37055; 309 c597W
Session: 1997-98
Subjects: Motor vehicles Safety Wales Roads Repairs and maintenance Testing Vehicles