§ 43. Mr. Pageasked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation his intentions, in connection with compulsory testing of vehicles, with regard to the authorisation of brake-testing on public roads; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. NugentAn applicant for appointment as authorised examiner has to state what public roads, if any, he intends to use for vehicle testing. No appointments will be made unless our technical officers are satisfied that the roads proposed, or others nearby, can be used for testing without danger or undue inconvenience to the public and to other traffic.
§ Mr. PageDoes not it involve grave danger and inconvenience to traffic if brake testing takes place on public roads? Is there any shortage of brake-testing instruments within the testing garages?
§ Mr. NugentBrake testing is already carried out as a normal practice on many roads. Provided the road is carefully selected the danger will not be serious.
§ Mr. StraussIn view of the delay of nearly three years in the introduction of the general testing of vehicles under the 1956 Act, which is likely to be further 1252 postponed, will the Minister ask his right hon. Friend to write up in large letters, in his room, a notice to the effect that for every week that this road testing is postponed ten additional lives are unnecessarily lost on our roads?
§ Mr. NugentThe right hon. Gentleman knows that we do not accept that there has been any unreasonable delay. We have gone ahead with this scheme with all speed. It is a most complicated scheme. We have already inspected over 10,000 garages, and we are well ahead with the programme. We are hoping to have this scheme started in the summer.