§ 47. Mr. Danceasked the Minister of Transport whether, in view of the success of the use of reflective number plates on cars, she will consider taking steps to make their use obligatory; and whether she will make a statement.
§ Mr. CarmichaelNo, Sir. More evidence of their road safety value is needed before considering whether their use should be made compulsory.
§ Mr. DanceIs the Minister aware that in my part of the country local road safety people and the police recommend that reflective number plates are extremely valuable? Will he, therefore, make a start by making their use obligatory on commercial vehicles which at present normally have extremely bad number plates?
§ Mr. CarmichaelThe hon. Gentleman will be aware that in the White Paper on Road Safety my right hon. Friend suggested that road safety measures should be looked at in terms of their cost effectiveness. While the signs about the idea of illuminated number plates are encouraging, it is felt that a period of about two years should be allowed for any new device to operate, before deciding whether it is the best way to spend the money to ensure road safety.