§ 24. Mr. STEWART SANDEMANasked the Minister of Transport whether, in view of the fact that road vehicles propelled by steam have to fill up their boilers with all sorts and conditions of water, which is bound to form scales in the water tubes, he will make these boilers compulsorily subject to the usual tests?
§ Colonel ASHLEYIt appears to me that the question of the scaling-up of the boilers of road vehicles propelled by steam is primarily a matter for the owners of the vehicles; and I do not propose to ask for powers to enforce such tests.
Mr. SANDEMANSurely the scaling-up of the tubes will make fatal accidents much more likely; and are we to understand that nothing is to be done about it until fatal accidents occur?
§ Colonel ASHLEYMy hon. Friend received an answer from me only a week ago to the effect that there have only been two explosions—not fatal accidents—in the last three years. I also pointed out to him that the most of these vehicles are insured, and that the insurance companies see to them.