HC Deb 01 February 1956 vol 548 cc900-2
6. Miss Burton

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation whether he is prepared to introduce regulations making side windows in small vans obligatory so that the accident risk may be reduced.

26. Sir F. Medlkott

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation if he will introduce regulations making compulsory the provision of side windows in trade and similar vans, so as to increase the range of the driver's vision.

Mr. Molson

My right hon. Friend could not contemplate this action as he is not satisfied that considerations of road safety justify compulsion.

Miss Burton

Is the Joint Parliamentary Secretary aware that in Coventry over a period of twenty months there have been seven accidents which could be attributed directly to this lack of side windows, that the Coventry Water Undertaking desires to fit them, and that if it did so the Purchase Tax on each vehicle would be increased by £100, which is quite impossible? Will not the Minister look at the matter again?

Mr. Molson

I am not concerned with the question of Purchase Tax—that is a matter for the Treasury. From the point of view of road safety, we are not of the opinion that the provision of side windows would have any appreciable effect. Under Regulation 16 of the Construction and Use Regulations, 1955, Every motor vehicle shall be equipped either internally or externally with a mirror so constructed and fitted to the motor vehicle as to assist the driver if he so desires to become aware of traffic to the rear of the vehicle. We believe that the fitting of mirrors of that kind is a great deal more conducive to safety than having side windows, in which case it would be necessary for the driver to turn his head when, as a matter of fact, it would be better if he looked in front of him.

Sir F. Medlicott

Cannot we persuade the Minister to adopt a more crusading attitude in this matter? Is it not a fact that this business of road casualties is a grim and desperate battle in which no means should be neglected to prevent casualties, however few they may be?

Mr. Molson

Nobody is better aware than I, as Chairman of the Road Safety Committee, of the gravity of the accidents which at present occur. We see no reason whatever to suppose that the provision of windows behind the driver's seat is going to be of any value at all in averting accidents, and we think that mirrors are a better and more scientific way of guarding against accidents.

Mr. Usborne

Does not the Minister understand that the object of side windows is to enable the driver to see sideways, and the object of mirrors is to enable him to see backwards, which are quite different things? Will he not think again, if he can?

Mr. Molson

The hon. Gentleman apparently does not understand what the principal Question was. It does not refer to side windows beside the driver's seat, but to side windows behind the driver's seat.

Miss Burton

As I am dealing with certain accidents which have occurred and not with problematical theories, would the Minister be prepared to look at evidence from Coventry concerning these accidents to see if his opinion is right?

Mr. Molson

I am always willing to look at any evidence in order to confirm the opinion to which I have already come.

Mr. Strauss

In view of the hon. Gentleman's reply to one of my hon. Friends, will he look at the Question again, when he will see that there is no suggestion of side windows being fitted behind the driver as he suggested?

Mr. Molson

This refers to the provisions of the Purchase Tax Orders, and they refer to windows behind the driver's seat.