HC Deb 05 October 1939 vol 351 cc2081-3
38. Sir Cooper Rawson

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that the form of mask for head-lights which is about to be made compulsory by the Home Office throws a beam of white light over two feet high and is reflected from walls and plate-glass windows, whereas the Leopard screen has no white beam whatsoever; has the proposed mask been submitted for the approval of the Army, Royal Air Force and motor trade; and whether he will refer the two masks to some independent person or board for their decision as to which is the more desirable from the point of view of efficiency and cost?

Sir J. Anderson

Owing to variations in the method of fitting, many of the devices now being used for masking headlamps dazzle oncoming drivers or throw a beam of light upwards. I am therefore prescribing the conditions as to light distribution and intensity with which a headlamp mask must comply. The circular recently issued contains a design of headlamp mask which has been devised by my Department, in consultation with the Ministry of Transport, and complies with those conditions, but other masks which would comply with the conditions may be used. The mask is designed to reduce the intensity of the light, to confine the beam to the ground in front of the vehicle, and to prevent any light being cast above the horizontal. As I informed my hon. Friend in reply to a previous question, the Leopard type of mask was examined by my expert advisers and was found unsuitable for general adoption. The new type of mask proposed has been tried on Army vehicles under observation from the air by the Royal Air Force. I am satisfied that it provides an efficient driving light without dazzle, and I see no reason to submit it to any additional tests. It is, in fact, in production in quantity.

Sir C. Rawson

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the police have stopped cars carrying the Home Office mask on the ground that they were showing too much light, and is it not a fact that this other mask throws no ray at all? Is it not a great danger to have a dozen lorries going along a country road throwing beams of light in front of them? Would it not be safer for them to be fitted with the other mask, which throws no beam at all?

Sir J. Anderson

The Department have not yet been able to discover a mask which gives sufficient light without throwing any beam at all. As regards the police, I think it is true that for a time some members of the force were not fully instructed as to the amount of light that might be shown by a headlamp on a vehicle, but I hope that the information has now become general among them.

Mr. Denman

Can the Minister say when the new mask will be generally available?

Sir J. Anderson

It is already in production, and I hope it will be available in large quantities after the end of this month.

Sir C. Rawson

What is the objection to submitting samples of both to an independent board in view of the fact that this other mask has been approved by the Air Force and the police as efficient?

Sir J. Anderson

My objection is that the matter is One in which I have a responsibility, which I am fully prepared to take.