§ MR. HENRY HOBHOUSE (Somersetshire, E.)To ask the President of the Local Government Board whether any public authority has power to regulate the width of tyres of motor-cars between one and three tons in weight, and if any such regulations have been made; and, if not, if he will see that any necessary power to make such regulations shall be included in the proposed legislation on motor-cars.
(Answered by Mr. Walter Long.) By Section 6 of The Locomotives on Highways Act, 1896, the Local Government Board are empowered to make regulations with respect to the use of these vehicles on highways, and their construction and the conditions under which they may be used; and by an Order, dated 9th November, 1896, the following regulations were made as regards the width of the tyres:—If the weight of the vehicle unladen is more than 15 cwt., and does not exceed 1 ton, the width of the tyre is to be not less than 2½ inches; if such weight is more than 1 ton, and does not exceed 2 tons, the width is to be not less than 3 inches; if such weight exceeds 2 tons, the width is to be not less than 4 inches.