HC Deb 04 July 1962 vol 662 cc529-31
5. Mr. Chapman

asked the Minister of Transport if he is aware that a Birmingham firm, about which he has received details, is selling secondhand cars in an unroadworthy condition; and, in view of general anxiety on this matter, whether, under Section 248 of the Road Traffic Act, 1960, he will hold an inquiry to establish the extent to which this and other firms are avoiding the operation of Section 68 of that Act.

Mr. Hay

We have no evidence which suggests that there is any widespread contravention of Section 68 of the Road Traffic Act. My right hon. Friend is writing to the hon. Member about the particular case of which he sent details.

Enforcement of the law is of course a matter for the police.

Mr. Chapman

Does this mean that the Ministry can do nothing in this case? Has the right hon. Gentleman considered the dozen or so individual cases I sent to him, and the pressure on his Ministry from the motoring organisations about this firm trading as Unity Motors of Birmingham? Has he considered the identity of complaint in every case, namely, that cars are being sold that are defective in such things as brakes and gear boxes, and that these may be dangerous on the roads, and that most questionable sales methods are being used to get these unroadworthy cars sold — such methods as hire-purchase forms signed in blank, and registration books with the date of manufacture concealed for a time, and so on? Should not something be done to protect purchasers in cases like this?

Mr. Hay

I think that the hon. Gentleman had better await my right hon. Friend's letter, which goes into this matter in some detail.

Mr. Walker

Is my hon. Friend aware that many unroadworthy vehicles are on the roads as a result of insurance companies writing off vehicles as a total loss and then the vehicles being purchased by irresponsible motor agents? Could he possibly make an arrangement with insurance companies whereby, before the cars are reregistered, they have to pass a Ministry of Transport examination?

Mr. Hay

We have had this matter under discussion in Standing Committee in connection with the Road Traffic Bill. We take the view that a better way to deal with this kind of case is to bring down the age limit for vehicle tests as quickly as we possibly can. This catches far more cases than any ad hoc arrangement would do.

Mr. Mellish

Having seen the correspondence between my hon. Friend and the Ministry, may I ask whether the hon. Gentleman does not agree that in fact the complaint is both justified and fairly widespread? May we have an assurance that the Government will strengthen the law in the matter?

Mr. Hay

I do not think we ought to start arguing from an individual case to a general change in the law. With regard to individual cases, the present law, we are satisfied, is adequate to deal with the situation. What is important is to get concrete evidence of breaches of the law, and that is a matter for the police.