§ 1. Mr. Thorpeasked the Postmaster-Genera I whether he will extend the regulations relating to the fitting of suppressors to motor vehicles to include cars manufactured before 1st July, 1953; and whether he will include the inspection of such suppressors in the Ministry of Transport tests for old cars.
§ The Assistant Postmaster-General (Miss Mervyn Pike)The number of older cars not fitted with suppressors is steadily diminishing, and my right hon. Friend does not think he would be justified in extending the regulations as the hon. Member suggests. In any case, my right hon. Friend is advised that suppression tests could not be carried out in the ordinary garages used for the Ministry of Transport vehicle tests.
§ Mr. ThorpeCould the hon. Lady tell us how long it will be before the situation is reached in which there will be no old cars left without suppressors? Does she not agree that one motor car without a suppressor can cause havoc 418 to scores of television sets? Is it not time that car owners adopted the good neighbour policy?
§ Miss PikeIn answer to the first part of the supplementary question, the older vehicles are diminishing at an estimated rate of 250,000 a year, so that it is a rapidly diminishing problem. We recognise the tremendous nuisance which can be caused by cars which are not fitted with suppressors, and we urge everybody to take the necessary steps.