HC Deb 04 February 1931 vol 247 cc1803-4
39. Mr. FREEMAN

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is now able to state when he will introduce regulations for controlling dazzle from motor headlamps under the powers conferred by the Road Transport Act, 1927; and whether, when framing such regulations, he will leave the way open for any approved permanent lighting system which will be free from dazzle and yet give an effective driving light so as not to perpetuate exclusively the system of dipping?

The MINISTER of TRANSPORT (Mr. Herbert Morrison)

I am about to circulate to the motoring organisations and to other bodies interested in the matter a draft of regulations which I propose to make on this subject. Any regulations which may be made can be varied at any time in accordance with the progress made in invention and design.

Mr. FREEMAN

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether the proposal contained in this question of having a system which is not under manual control will be included in those regulations?

Mr. MORRISON

I am not quite sure yet what the system will be, and I am not in a position to give any information at the moment.

Mr. FREEMAN

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that there is a great advantage in having such a system, and therefore, not open to the disadvantage of having to manoeuvre these things at an inconvenient time?

Mr. MORRISON

I have seen so many snags about this question that I should not pledge myself in advance on that point.

Sir W. BRASS

Will the right hon. Gentleman get a report from France as to the new anti-dazzle regulations which have been in force in France since the 1st of January?

Mr. MORRISON

I will look into that point.