§ 40. Mr. Ernest Daviesasked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation for what reasons he proposes to delegate to privately-owned garages responsibility for inspection of vehicles under the provisions of the Road Traffic Act, 1956, in preference to the work being undertaken by testing stations operated by his Department.
§ Mr. WatkinsonBecause this is the most efficient way of getting inspection done and will avoid unjustified expenditure of capital resources and skilled manpower.
§ Mr. DaviesDoes the Minister think that this is the most economic way of testing these old cars? Is it not a fact that the Ministry did establish a testing station at Hendon and that it proved very successful and very economical? Does he appreciate that the motorists who have to have their cars tested will not always consider that the garages are disinterested in this matter, and that it would be far better to have a disinterested party, such as the Ministry itself, to set up the testing stations?
§ Mr. WatkinsonI am advised that it would cost something over £1 million to provide a Government chain of testing stations. I do not accept what my hon. Friends says in suggesting that there are not adequate safeguards against private garages which do not conduct the tests properly.
§ Mr. DaviesIs it not a fact that the garages will take a margin of profit out of the testing, and that if the Ministry itself engages in the testing there would not be this additional cost?
§ Mr. WatkinsonI think that is a rather odd doctrine, which is certainly not borne out by past facts in nationalised industry.