My honourable friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport (Paul Clark) has made the following Ministerial Statement.

The Local Transport Act 2008 includes powers for the Secretary of State to make provision, in secondary legislation, to establish a new regime for the impounding of illegally operated public service vehicles (PSVs). A similar existing regime in the goods vehicle sector has contributed to a significant reduction in illegal operations.

The Government have consulted on proposals to establish a new impounding regime for PSVs and to make some minor amendments to the existing goods vehicle regime. A response to the consultation is being published today, confirming the Government’s intention to proceed with the proposals. Copies are available in the Libraries of the House and on the Department for Transport’s website.