§ 13. Mr. Straussasked the Minister of Transport when the compulsory testing of vehicles over ten years old will come into operation.
§ 62. Mr. Darlingasked the Minister of Transport when he intends to introduce his tasting scheme for road vehicles.
§ Mr. MarplesWithin a few days I expect to be able to approve the Regulations governing the appointment of garages and local authorities to undertake tests under the scheme. The Regulations will then be made and formal appointments will begin immediately.
I intend to start operating the statutory test on a voluntary basis not later than the end of February next and to allow a reasonable time thereafter before making it an offence for a ten-year-old vehicle to use the roads without a test certificate.
§ Mr. StraussIs the Minister aware that this is yet one further delay? The date for starting this scheme has been put off time and time again': The last information we were given by the right hon. Gentleman's predecessor was that it would start in the summer of this year. Is the Minister aware that now about four years will have passed before the scheme is put into operation' It is generally agreed that the scheme is likely to save about 10 per cent. of all deaths on the road. Will the Minister give an assurance that, unlike his predecessor, he will regard this matter as a rather urgent measure to be put in hand immediately?
§ Mr. MarplesI do not think that I can say more than I said in answering the Question, that within a few days I expect to be able to approve the Regulations. I cannot move much faster than that.