§ 16. Mr. John Hallasked the Minister of Transport if she will introduce safety regulations affecting the manufacture of cars similar to those now in force in the United States of America.
§ Mr. John MorrisWe intend to continue to develop safety regulations for the construction of motor vehicles and to support the work being done by the Economic Commission for Europe aimed at achieving international uniformity. This takes full account of recent American developments in this field.
§ Mr. HallWhile it may take full account of the developments in America, may I ask whether the regulations will be similar to the regulations operating in America?
§ Mr. MorrisAs I think the hon. Gentleman knows, some of the American regulations are already covered by ours. The basis of the difference is that the regulations of the Americans, who are starting virtually from scratch, cover the obligations of the manufacturer when he sells to the first customer. Our regulations, in rather different circumstances, attract to the vehicle when it is in road use. What we are trying to achieve, in consultation with our friends in Europe, is uniformity and to meet the needs of the time.
§ Mr. MappIs my hon. Friend aware that the distinction which he has drawn is absolutely vital—that the safety factors must be built in as the car is being produced and sold at the first point? Although the second point is important, 415 this point is of considerably greater importance than uniformity in safety factors. I hope that my hon. Friend will bear that in mind.
§ Mr. MorrisI should not like, in question and answer, to argue the relative merits of both, but I will bear in mind what my hon. Friend says. This is one of the matters we are doing as regards the type of approval we propose to introduce for heavy goods vehicles as a first step.