Public inquiry

Public inquiry

1) (1) In connection with 'O' licensing and LGV/PCV driver entitlements, public hearing (at which press may also be present) at which Traffic Commissioner 'interviews' licence applicant/holder on certain matters.

This may be to give prior warning to new applicants about legal requirements, etc but also when existing holders are to be admonished/ penalized following breach of licence conditions, etc. At PI all statements made by subject/witnesses are recorded and taken to be statements/ declarations of intent (ie legal promises) which must be fulfilled, also there is no protection by privilege at such. (2) Part of the Government's consultation process on new road developments and route selection. Usually carried out by an independent inspector on behalf of the Secretary of State (eg for transport) who conducts the inquiry in an open, fair and impartial way, recording the facts and comments stated by witnesses both for and against the proposals (some of whom are experts, others being the lay public voicing objections on many relevant issues). The inspector makes a final report and his recommendations to the Secretary of State.

Source: David Lowe. The Dictionary of Transport and Logistics. Kogan Page, 2002. – P.192-193 (288 p.)