§ 1. Mr. Archerasked the Minister of Transport in how many road accidents defective tyres were a contributing factor in the first four months of 1967; and in how many of these the defective tyre had been reconditioned.
§ The Joint Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Transport (Mr. John Morris)Comprehensive figures are not available. But analysis of accidents by the Hampshire and Warwickshire Area Road Safety Units suggests that defective tyres were a contributing factor in about 1 per cent. of the 42,000 injury accidents occurring in their areas between 1963 and 1966. Separate figures for reconditioned tyres are not available.
§ Mr. ArcherIs my hon. Friend perturbed by the recent findings of the R.A.C., that one-third of the vehicles checked by it have defective tyres? What is he doing about it?
§ Mr. MorrisThere is obvious concern and the regulations are being strengthened. We hope that they will be effective on 1st April, 1968, to cope with the very necessary new conditions which are needed.