I am not quite sure what you mean by 'ministry of transport officers' but assume you mean revenue inspectors.
No, I mean the people who ask car drivers questions about where they're travelling to and why. They are always accompanied by Police, and the Police have to pull the cars over. Every time I have told them that I won't answer (I never answer any surveys) they leave me alone.
Many thanks for all your other responses in this forum, by the way - you're giving me (us?) the real policemans view.
Regards,
Pete.
It depends who is doing the asking. The census guys by the side of the road who ask where your going have no legal powers to ask for the information so far as I am aware. Officers from the vehicle inspectorate or benefits inspectors, on the other hand, do have power to request that information and failure to give such could render you liable to arrest. The reason both census and benefits officers have a police presence is neither has a power to stop a vehicle and in the case of some benefits officers to effect an arrest if so needed. With a census you must stop but do not have to talk with the census guy. Nor do you have to tell the police officer where you are going or why although they may ask for registration details and insurance which you must give. As far as I am aware vehicle inspectorate officers can stop vehicles but normally request police as certain members of the public tend to get a wee bit upset when they slap prohibition orders on their clapped out, untaxed, rusting and down right unsafe vehicles.
It depends who is doing the asking. The census guys by the side of the road who ask where your going have no legal powers to ask for the information so far as I am aware. Officers from the vehicle inspectorate or benefits inspectors, on the other hand, do have power to request that information and failure to give such could render you liable to arrest. The reason both census and benefits officers have a police presence is neither has a power to stop a vehicle and in the case of some benefits officers to effect an arrest if so needed. With a census you must stop but do not have to talk with the census guy. Nor do you have to tell the police officer where you are going or why although they may ask for registration details and insurance which you must give. As far as I am aware vehicle inspectorate officers can stop vehicles but normally request police as certain members of the public tend to get a wee bit upset when they slap prohibition orders on their clapped out, untaxed, rusting and down right unsafe vehicles.
