HC Deb 12 January 1977 vol 923 cc1415-6
8. Sir Bernard Braine

asked the Secretary of State for Transport whether he will introduce legislation to ensure that vehicles written off by insurance companies are not put back on the road without a full test.

Mr. Horam

We have examined the situation carefully but the evidence we have at present does not support the view that vehicles which have been written off and reconstructed are a significant road hazard.

Sir B. Braine

That really will not do. Does the Minister agree that the irresponsible practice of putting back on to the road vehicles which have been totally written off and which may have been cannibalised, which may be dangerous to life and limb, without any form of test is totally unacceptable? Is he further aware that the motoring organisations and the general public expect the Government to stir themselves on this subject at least to consider the possibility of introducing new rules and regulations that will stop this gross abuse?

Mr. Horam

My right hon. Friend and I take this matter very seriously. The question is, is it a significant factor in road safety problems? We accept that it happens from time to time. Is it a big factor? The only evidence that we have is a survey carried out by West Yorkshire police which showed that, out of 9,600 accidents, not one was caused by faulty repair of a damaged vehicle. Therefore, we have yet to obtain sufficient significant evidence on this matter. I remind the hon. Gentleman that on 1st January we strengthened the MoT test.

Mr. Arthur Lewis

What is to stop the Minister asking the insurance com- panies—legislation is required—to notify his Department about these vehicles so that examinations may be made? We spent hours on the problem of seat belts. If one life can be saved, surely some action should be taken. Will my hon. Friend tell his civil servants to get off their big fat backsides and do something about it? I must declare a vested interest.

Mr. Horam

I think that my hon. Friend has two vested interests in the way he phrased that question. Two points concern us about limiting this matter to written-off vehicles. First, a high proportion of vehicles are not comprehensively insured. Secondly, many vehicles are not insured at all. It may be that the most serious cases occur with vehicles which are not insured.

Mr. Norman Fowler

I ask the Ministed not to underestimate the seriousness of public feeling on this issue. During the last week I have received many examples from all over the country of potentially dangerous cars being put back on the road. As a constructive suggestion, will the hon. Gentleman agree to meet a delegation made up not only of hon. Members but of representatives of consumer and motoring organisations, which will put directly to him the evidence which he suggested does not exist?

Mr. Horam

As I have tried to explain, we do not underestimate the problem. I should be delighed to receive a delegation. If there is serious evidence which we have not yet found and if the hon. Gentleman will give me the examples to which he referred, I will look into the matter.