§ 7. Mr. Wingfield Digbyasked the Minister of Transport what research is being done at the Road Research Laboratory on the effect of speed limits on car design.
§ Mr. DigbyWill the Minister ask it to do so? Is he aware of the immense importance of car exports to our balance of payments? There is a danger of our cars becoming less and less suited to Continental conditions rather than more and more suited to them.
Mr. BrownI am aware of the views of the industry, but we cannot yet see any clear effects to show that more research is really necessary.
§ 31. Sir B. Rhys Williamsasked the Minister of Transport what study he has made of the effect of different features of the designs of private cars currently in production in Great Britain on the safety of passengers.
Mr. Bob BrownWork on the principles of safe design and on features of cars currently in use is continuously undertaken in the Ministry and Road Research Laboratory, by the Motor Industry Research Association, and by motor manufacturers and many other people.
§ Sir B. Rhys WilliamsIs the hon. Gentleman aware that there are hundreds of fatal accidents on our roads every month? Why is it not worth while to examine the information available from these accidents and draw conclusions from them?
Mr. BrownThe Question refers to the safe design of cars. I would point out to the hon. Gentleman that British cars are the safest designed in the world.