HC Deb 08 March 1972 vol 832 cc1431-2
15. Mr. Edwin Wainwright

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment why a farm tractor, though it is allowed to travel on roadways, is not subjected to the Ministry of Transport tests.

Mr. Eldon Griffiths

Their use on roads is too limited to warrant it.

Mr. Wainwright

Will the Minister treat this matter more seriously? Is he not aware that far too many fatal accidents are caused by farm tractors? Does he not agree that farm tractors should be properly maintained so that lives are not lost in this way?

Mr. Griffiths

I do not yield to the hon. Gentleman in my concern for road safety. The two most recent surveys by our Road Safety Unit showed that only one-fifth of 1 per cent, of accidents within the areas covered involved farm tractors.

Mr. John E. B. Hill

Is not only a small and probably insignificant fraction of that proportion of accidents due to the mechanical condition of farm tractors, and is it not in general true that farm tractors are better maintained than the average motor car?

Mr. Griffiths

It is most certainly the case that only a small proportion of accidents with farm tractors involves factors of mechanical safety. I say to the hon. Member for Dearne Valley (Mr. Edwin Wainwright) that if farm tractors were to be required to go on to the highways in order to reach the testing stations, there would be more farm traffic on the highways rather than less.

Mr. Ewing

Does the Minister accept, on the broad general principle raised by my hon. Friend's question, that there is need for a review of the whole Ministry of Transport testing system? In that review, which has been promised, will the Minister give consideration to a wider use of Government centres for the testing of vehicles?

Mr. Griffiths

Yes, Sir.