§ 2.54 p.m.
§ [The question was as follows:
§ To ask His Majesty's Government, whether they are aware of the danger resulting from the fact that the owners of many road vehicles have still failed to re-adapt their rear lights to the standard of brilliance generally observed before the war; whether steps can now be 92 taken to ensure effective observance of the provisions of Section I of the Road Transport Lighting Act of 1927 (under which it is obligatory for all vehicles on the road during the hours of darkness to carry one lamp showing to the rear a red light visible from a reasonable distance); whether new regulations can be issued providing for the standardization of the position of rear lights on all vehicles; and whether they can give an assurance that all Government owned and operated vehicles will be made to comply with the regulations applicable to such lights.]
§ LORD WALKDENMy Lords, the Road Transport Lighting Act, 1927, provides that where a vehicle is required to carry a rear lamp it shall show a red light visible from a reasonable distance and Regulations have been made under that Act prescribing within limits the position in which such lights must be carried. The law in this matter applies to Crown vehicles save that the Service Departments may, subject to suitable safeguards, use vehicles without lights in the event of operational need or for the purposes of training. Enforcement of these provisions is a matter for the police who give this and other Regulations relating to road vehicles all the attention which their resources permit.
LORD WALERANMy Lords, I thank the noble Lord for the reply to my question, but I would like to raise the matter at a later date.