15 and 38. Mr. Gresham Cookeasked the Minister of Transport (1) if he will take steps to compel insurance companies and others to hand over the log books of cars they have written off as totally wrecked to local authorities so as to prevent their being rebuilt and resold as cars in roadworthy condition;
§ (2) if he will take steps to ensure that log books of wrecked cars impounded by local authorities can be reissued if the cars were satisfactorily rebuilt and passed tests imposed by a qualified engineer appointed by the local authority; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Tom FraserI cannot at present add to my reply of 17th March to my hon. Friend the Member for Glasgow, Govan (Mr. Rankin) and the hon. Member for Surbiton (Mr. Fisher).
Mr. Gresham CookeDoes the right hon. Gentleman recognise that there is a very real problem here? It is a very alarming experience to buy an unroadworthy rebuilt motor car, and it is estimated that about 40,000 cars were rebuilt during the year. In the absence of legislation, would he consider instituting talks with the A.A., the R.A.C. and the Vehicle Builders and Repairers Association to see whether customer; can be induced to demand a test of rebuilt cars before they are placed or, the market?
§ Mr. FraserI am in consultation with my right hon. and learned Friend the Home Secretary and the insurers on this matter. It is well understood to be a very complex subject. I have been advising purchasers of second-hand motor cars which might very well be written-off cars that have been reconstructed always to consult a reputable garage or the A.A. or R.A.C. and get their advice before making the purchase. But there are many difficulties in the matter. The suggestions made for legislation up to now would not help us very mach, because they deal only with the car which is comprehensively insured. With regard to a car having only third-party insurance, no one except the owner would know whether the vehicle had been subjected to very considerable wrecking in a road accident and had been patched up at the owner's expense. In any case, if a car is on the road in an unroadworthy condition, the person who goes on to the road with it is liable to commit an offence, and the person who sells the car to him is also liable to commit an offence. If any hon. Member or other person has any knowledge of this practice being engaged in, he should report the matter to the authorities.
§ Mr. LiptonIs my right hon. Friend aware that this is developing into a big racket and that probably more than 40,000 cars are on the road at some time or other which have been written-off as a total loss? Ought not some action to be taken in the very near future to prevent this becoming an even greater abuse than it is at the moment?
§ Mr. FraserWe must be a little careful. I understand that the insurers make a written-off money payment to the 434 person who owns the motor car, but it does not mean that the vehicle is incapable of being reconstructed and made into a very safe car. It merely means that it is a greater convenience to the insurance company to pay a cash sum for the written-off value of the car than to pay the cost of the repairs to the car. Therefore, it is not a straightforward matter. None the less, I have not said that I will do nothing about it. I have said that I am re-examining the problem in consultation with the Home Secretary and the insurance companies, who may be able to give me some valuable advice.