HC Deb 15 November 1962 vol 667 cc542-3
11. Mr. Graham Page

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will take action in the interests of road safety to prevent the carriage of molten metal by road, as now being undertaken from Minworth, Warwickshire, to Erdington, Birmingham.

Mr. Woodhouse

No, Sir. The carrier has, in consultation with my Department, designed and constructed the vehicles and containers in such a way as to overcome the intrinsic hazard of this material.

Mr. Page

Does not my right hon. Friend think that it is an extraordinary thing that while these dangerous substances are within a factory there are innumerable safety regulations, but once they get on to the road the regulations are practically nil? Is he satisfied that his right hon. Friend has the power to make regulations to protect the public against the considerable risk of dangerous substances on the road and, if he has the power, why has he not made regulations?

Mr. Woodhouse

Yes, Sir. There is no doubt that my right hon. Friend has that power and has had it for a number of years. It has been found in practice that the extremely limited number of companies who wish to convey such dangerous substances by road are prepared to consult the Chief Inspector of Explosives of my right hon. Friend's Department and we have found that this kind of practical co-operation is the best way of making arrangements.

Mr. Page

Is not my hon. Friend aware that there have been serious accidents on the road, one very near the places mentioned in the Question when a lorry blew up and damaged houses, and other cases of dangerous substances going on the roads and ruining water supplies of villages? Is he saying that the regulations are sufficient to prevent that sort of thing?

Mr. Woodhouse

There is an existing power under Regulation 73 of the Motor Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations, 1955, which would make it an offence for any firm to carry dangerous substances in a dangerous manner.