Road Safety Bill [HL]

I am grateful for the contributions of all noble Lords who have taken part in the debate, particularly that of the Minister. The noble Lord, Lord Bradshaw, said that multi-agency checks required many different experts. That is of course the point—they are experts. I may have knowledge about vehicle safety, but I am not an expert on animal welfare. I would not support too many agencies having the power to stop a vehicle on the road. There was always a risk attached to giving VOSA the powers to stop a vehicle on the road, but its vehicles have a distinct livery and commercial vehicle drivers can recognise a VOSA vehicle. If many different agencies were able to stop a goods vehicle that may be carrying a high-value load on the road, we could increase the difficulties associated with hijacking exponentially. Multi-agency checks are a valuable tool of enforcement. They are an addition to the activities of VOSA in pulling over a vehicle on the road. We must not lose sight of the efficiency of multi-agency checks. Often, when one problem is found with a vehicle or with a driver, there tend to be many more. I am grateful to the Minister for his kind response. I beg leave to withdraw the amendment. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. [Amendments Nos. 7 and 8 not moved.]