§ 24. Mr. Peter Millsasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will bring in legislation prohibiting the use of tractors on slopes steeper than a determined safety gradient.
§ Mr. HoyNo, Sir. There are a number of other factors besides gradient, such as soil and weather conditions, which influence the liability of tractors to accidents in hilly country. The best way of preventing such accidents is careful driving with knowledge of the hazards involved, and this is something which my Department does its best to drive home by advisory action including films, posters and leaflets.
§ Mr. MillsWill the Joint Parliamentary Secretary take into account the fact that the number of deaths and serious accidents involving tractors is increasing, particularly in the South-West? Might it not be possible for legislation to be introduced, possibly to ensure the fitting of safety cabins or roll-over bars to tractors? Since this is a very real problem, will the hon. Gentleman consider it seriously?
§ Mr. HoyI can assure the hon. Gentleman that we appreciate the seriousness of the position. We do not think that legislation along the line suggested in the Question would be effective. However, considerable thought is being given to the question of safety cabins and I think that we have power to take by Order the sort of action the hon. Gentleman describes in his supplementary question if such a recommendation were considered to be the correct one.
§ Mr. ManuelWill my hon. Friend bear in mind the fact that many of the deaths and accidents involving tractors on slopes have occurred to employees under the age of 18? Could the problem be looked at in the light of some possible prohibition on teen-age farm employees driving tractors instead of qualified men?
§ Mr. HoyI do not have the accident figures for the different age groups, but since my hon. Friend has raised that point I will certainly look into it.