§ 9. Mr. Loughlinasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will institute inquiries into the number of road accidents in which it is suspected that butane and other gases may have 1021 been carried in the vehicles involved; and if he will make a statement.
§ The Minister for Transport Industries (Mr. John Peyton)I have no evidence that the carriage of gases such as butane contributes seriously to road accidents, but I shall be glad to look into any specific incident of the hon. Gentleman will let me have particulars.
§ Mr. LoughlinI appreciate the right hon. Gentleman's offer to look into any instance that may be drawn to his attention. Is he aware that there have been one or two accidents—I do not wish to make a great deal of this, though these accidents have resulted in death—in which it has been suspected that butane gas had been carried, not in the containers which I think the right hon. Gentleman has in mind but in the stoves which people use for picnics, and that the carriage of this gas had been a contributory factor to the accidents? Will the Minister ascertain from the police authorities what evidence there is that the carriage of gas in stoves, after they have been used for picnics, presents a danger in road accidents?
§ Mr. PeytonI will certainly make any inquiries that seem to be useful. As for the major question of the transportation of gases and dangerous substances, which is what I thought the hon. Gentleman had in mind, that is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary. However, in view of his supplementary question, I will look into the matter to see whether there is anything I can do.