§ 12. Mr. Hugh Jenkinsasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will seek powers to require an immediate test, on the lines of the present MOT test, of all models of car the manufacturers of which have recalled them owing to defects which could affect safety.
§ Mr. JenkinsWill the hon. Gentleman think again about that answer? Is he aware that, according to AA figures, in the last six years about 750,000 cars—about one car in every eight—have been subject to recall because of dangerous—not ordinary—defects? Is he aware that fewer than half of those cars have actually been recalled and that, therefore, about 300,000 cars that are now on the roads have defects which the manufacturers themselves describe as dangerous? In the public interest, in the interests of other drivers, and of the drivers of these cars themselves, will the Minister do something about this matter?
§ Mr. SpeedI have seen the article in Drive magazine, to which the hon. Gentleman refers. It is true that many owners fail to respond to these calls, but there are problems of enforcement. The relevant defects might be outside the range of testing and I would have to be satisfied, therefore, on evidence, that the time and money involved would be effective in road safety terms. I have no such evidence at this time.