§ 13. Mrs. Castleasked the Minister of Transport when he intends to introduce regulations to amend the present driving licence provisions for pedestrian-operated vehicles such as milk floats.
§ Mr. MarplesAfter consulting interested organisations, I have decided to modify my proposals. I now propose that all pedestrian controlled mechanically propelled vehicles of not more than 8 cwt. unladen weight shall cease to be treated as motor vehicles under the Road Traffic Acts. I have now made the regulations which have been laid before Parliament for approval. I must stress, however, that the regulations are experimental and that these vehicles will be brought back under control if they should prove dangerous.
§ Mrs. CastleWhile thanking the right hon. Gentleman for this very welcome though long delayed change in the regulations, may I ask for his assurance that the regulations he is proposing will cover the case of my constituent, Mr. David Crane, and his hand-operated milk float, on the basis of which case I first raised this matter?
§ Mr. MarplesI am grateful for the hon. Lady's thanks. I would say that this does cover the case of David Crane, and I wish him well. I would, however, stress the importance of safety and point out that if, when the change has been tried out, it proves to be the cause of more accidents, it will have to be reviewed. That is the only rider I make.