§ 50. Mr. Galbraithasked the Minister of Transport what standards are now required for garages under the Vehicle Testing Scheme; if he is satisfied that there will be enough testing stations to administer the new regulations; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. CarmichaelThe principal requirements are: at least one qualified tester and staffing such that a test can be completed without interruption; an acceptable means of checking headlamp aim and braking efficiency; and two means of under-vehicle inspection.
30 A number of testing stations have left the scheme, some temporarily, but there will still be ample capacity to meet demands.
§ Mr. GalbraithWill the Parliamentary Secretary explain why it is necessary to have "without interruption"? Can the person not stop to relieve himself or to have a meal? Why "without interruption"? Also, why must there be more than one testing pit? Is the object to do small garages out of a job?
§ Mr. CarmichaelNo. The evidence is that there are a large number of small garages still in the scheme, and some will come back. The reason for "without interruption" is so that there will be staff present in addition to the tester so that he will not be continually interrupted by having to run out to sell petrol, for instance, and come back and miss some of the things that he should have tested.
The reason for the two means of under-vehicle inspection is that with only one pit or hoist inspection unit, if there is a fairly long job on the hoist or over the pit there may possibly be skimping of the under-vehicle inspection when a M.O.T. certificate is required.