§ 27. Mr. Roy Jenkinsasked the Minister of Transport whether the recommendation of a coroner's jury, after an accident involving the death of two Birmingham young people and the serious injury of three others, that car hirers should be required to possess certificates of roadworthiness issued by his Department before letting out vehicles on hire, has been brought to his notice; and what action he proposes to take.
§ Mr. MarplesYes, Sir, this case has been brought to my notice. Anyone who can be proved to have hired out a vehicle in an unroadworthy condition can be prosecuted under the existing law. Hired vehicles are covered by the provisions of the vehicle testing scheme. I doubt whether further legislative provisions would materially strengthen the existing law.
§ Mr. JenkinsOne point of the recommendation was that there should be a distinction between the strictness of roadworthiness certificates required for hired vehicles and private vehicles. In the case of the ordinary vehicle, the owner or driver may be expected to know a good deal more about its roadworthiness than in the case of a driver of a hired vehicle. Would the Minister consider whether he might not make stricter requirements for hired vehicles?
§ Mr. MarplesNo, Sir. Statutory provisions exist for hired vehicles as well as privately-owned vehicles in this matter. Enforcement is a matter for the police, and the courts can punish. The case which the hon. Gentleman has mentioned is a tragic one about which I am extremely sorry. I am told that the hirer of the vehicle, although he was prosecuted, was not convicted, but I am afraid that I do not know any more of the details than that.