HC Deb 09 November 1960 vol 629 c1039
34. Mr. Randall

asked the Minister of Transport what action he is contemplating to deal with the prevention of accidents to children arising from the use of mobile shops.

Mr. Marples

There is no simple or satisfactory solution of the problem to which the hon. Member refers, but I will review the position with the manufacturers and operators of these vehicles and others of a similar type in order to see whether any further safeguards can be devised.

Mr. Randall

I am much obliged to the right hon. Gentleman, but is it not a fact that the Road Research Laboratory, in February, 1959, submitted a suggestion that guard rails should be provided between the wheels? I understand that the suggestion has been submitted to the Minister. This was a very long time ago. Is the Minister not now in a position to tell us whether or not he is prepared to accept the suggestion?

Mr. Marples

As to that suggestion it has not been found possible to overcome some of the objections to guard rails, but I assure the hon. Member that I share his concern about this matter. I think that other experiments are now taking place with a view to enabling the driver to see what is happening underneath the vehicle so that he will not move off if children are playing there.

Mr. Benn

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that if he had the rower to authorise the construction of different types of vehicles he would be able to guarantee that nothing would be put on the road which was likely to endanger children? Is he also aware that if sales were possible only on the pavement side it would reduce the risk to children who might otherwise be in the middle of the road and who might be hit by a passing vehicle?

Mr. Marples

I do not think that this overcomes the technical difficulty of seeing how one can keep children from getting into mischief round these vehicles. That means is not easy to devise.