HC Deb 27 June 1962 vol 661 cc1152-3
34. Mr. Burden

asked the Minister of Transport if he will give consideration to the compulsory installation of a double braking system on all heavy lorries in the interests of road safety.

Mr. Marples

The braking systems of heavy motor cars are at present required to have two independent means of operation either of which can bring the vehicle to rest within a reasonable distance under the most adverse conditions. My technical officers are considering a revision of current requirements in consultation with the motor industry, and in this connection I will take my hon. Friend's suggestion into account.

Mr. Burden

Does my right hon. Friend agree that he has had representations from road safety authorities about this matter, and will he give an assurance that any proposals will be implemented as soon as possible?

Mr. Marples

This is a complicated technical problem. There are all sorts of different braking systems in operation in this country. There is one where the foot pedal operates two distinct sorts of braking systems, and there is another where the foot pedal operates only one and the hand-brake another. We are in very close technical consultation with the industry, and I agree that it is highly desirable that we should advance on the braking systems in use in this country as soon as we possibly can.

Mr. R. W. Elliott

Would my right Friend agree that, in view of the rapidly increasing size of motor vehicles on the roads, the reintroduction of the heavy goods vehicle licence would be in the interests of road safety?

Mr. Marples

I think this point comes under the Motor Vehicles Construction and Use Regulations. The real point is to get these systems built into the machines when they are first made, because adaptations and modifications are generally never so satisfactory as the incorporation of the system in the original vehicle.