§ 22 and 23. Sir GIFFORD FOXasked the Postmaster-General (1) why Post Office vans have their side and tail lights in a position which increases the danger of night driving to other users of the road; and whether, in the interests of public safety he will consider the desirability of assimilating the system of lighting on Post Office vehicles to that adopted by the communiity;
(2) whether it has been brought to his notice that other owners of light motor vehicles who also use loading platforms and travel along rough roads have their lights in normal positions and still maintain an efficient service; and whether, in view of this information, he will consider on all future postal vehicles altering the lights to conform with other vehicles of a similar type and use?
§ Sir K. WOODI am unable to agree that the position of the lights on Post Office vans increases the danger of night driving. As my hon. Friend is aware, exhaustive experiments which have been carried out by my Department show that no risk of accident is involved, and in fact there have been no accidents attributable to the position of the lights. The present positions of the lights on Post Office vans were standardised in order to eliminate damage to bulbs, wire connections and lamp bodies, and so avoiding delays to the public service; 1221 and I understand that many commercial vehicles have their lights in positions similar to those adopted by the Post Office. In the circumstances there would not appear to be any reason for making any alteration.
§ Sir G. FOXIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that Macnamaras, the Post Office contractors, have about 250 mail vans in use with the red light in the normal position?
§ Sir K. WOODThat may be so.
§ Sir G. FOXDoes the right hon. Gentleman not consider that they should be in the normal position on his own mail vans?
§ Sir K. WOODNo, Sir. As I have said, there has been no accident attributable to the position of the light.
§ Captain P. MACDONALDDoes the right hon. Gentleman not think that uniformity in this respect is important in order to avoid accidents?
§ Sir K. WOODIn my opinion, it is not necessary, as no accidents have been attributable to the position of the light on Post Office vans.
§ Mr. TINKERIs the red rear light on Post Office vans in a different position from that of any other commercial vehicle?
§ Sir K. WOODNo, Sir. In the last part of my answer I have said that many commercial vehicles have their light in a position similar to that adopted by the Post Office.
§ Captain STRICKLANDHas the right hon. Gentleman had practical experience of the serious danger to drivers of low-built motor cars, where attention must be on the road? You cannot spend your time looking up into the air to find out where the Post Office van is.
§ Sir K. WOODI must repeat—there has been no accident attributable to this cause. I do not know whether the hon. and gallant Member thinks it would be easier for him if I rode on one of the vans.