HC Deb 21 April 1971 vol 815 cc1163-5
19 and 20. Mr. Marten

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) if he is satisfied with the safety on the road of invalid tricycles; and if he will make a statement.

(2) what safety tests are mandatory for invalid tricycles.

The Secretary of State for the Environment (Mr. Peter Walker)

Invalid tricycles in general use comply with the relevant safety requirements of the Motor Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations. Though not subject to the statutory annual vehicle test scheme, they undergo no less stringent annual inspections by the Department of Health and Social Security, which also supervises their design.

Mr. Marten

Does my right hon. Friend really believe that a three-wheeler for a disabled driver who cannot take a passenger with him is as safe as a four-wheeler? If he does not believe that, would he please press his right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Social Services to do something urgently about extending the categories, or methods, by which people are able to have four-wheelers?

Mr. Walker

The records of the insurers of three-wheeled vehicles show that they are somewhat safer than proper cars. All I can say, knowing the deep interest which my hon. Friend has taken in this matter, is that if there is any special item of safety, or any evidence of lack of safety, which he would like to send to me, I shall certainly examine it immediately.

Mr. Kinnock

Will not the right hon. Gentleman recognise that the safety statistics do not take into account the great inconvenience caused to disabled persons and their families? Is he not aware that a three-wheeler tricycle is an inconvenient and uncomfortable mode of transport? Will he not accept that the only satisfactory solution to this problem of transport for invalids is to produce an adapted four-wheel saloon car for invalids?

Mr. Walker

I understand the hon. Gentleman's views, but it is not a matter for my Department. I am concerned only with the safety and construction aspects.

Mrs. Knight

Is my right hon. Friend aware that some disabled drivers carry small cans of petrol in their cars? Is not this a serious fire hazard? Does he know about it, and is he taking any action about it?

Mr. Walker

It would be worth looking at all road safety aspects of three-wheeled vehicles, and I will certainly do that.

Mr. Tebbit

Is my right hon. Friend aware, as I am sure he must be from his experience when Shadow Minister of Transport, that these vehicles are often a hazard to other road users because of their slowness and that they are a major fire hazard and catch fire considerably more frequently than do other vehicles? Is he aware that one of my constituents has suffered from this very hazard in the last few weeks?

Mr. Walker

I will certainly look at the statistics to see whether the fire hazard shows a major rise. However, the total figures for accidents are rather good.

Mr. Maxwell-Hyslop

Is it not the whole point that three wheels are inherently less stable than four? Secondly, as vehicles which have less acceleration and which are slower than other vehicles tend to be overtaken by those vehicles, do not these factors among others make them inherently less safe, even if the skill and concentration of those driving them tend to reduce the actuality of the accidents?

Mr. Walker

As I said originally, we will certainly consider any specific evidence on the safety factors.