§ 2.43 p.m.
§ THE EARL OF LUCANMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government whether any consultations have taken place with manufacturers' and users' organisations with a view to formulating acceptable standards of motor car flashing direction indicators.]
§ LORD CHESHAMMy Lords, on February 28 last my right honourable friend the Minister of Transport circulated, for the comment of representative organisations, proposals for amending the present regulations affecting direction indicators. The proposals are based on the recommendations of the responsible Committee of the Economic Commission for Europe. In addition to standardising the colour for indicators as amber, they call for improved positioning and minimum angles through which the light must be visible. The many detailed comments received are now being studied.
§ THE EARL OF LUCANMy Lords, I thank the noble Lord for his reply, but can he say that manufacturers' organisations in this country have been brought into consultation on the problems, particularly that of intensity?
§ LORD CHESHAMYes, my Lords. As my Answer indicated, the recommendations, as I explained to the noble Earl in reply to his question on Tuesday, do not cover the question of intensity, which is the subject of separate recommendations which are not quite as far forward. The manufacturers are represented on the Working Party in Brussels which formulated these recommendations, and I think l may say that they have been well in on the consultations throughout.
§ THE EARL OF LUCANMy Lords, could the noble Lord say further whether the Road Research Laboratory has been consulted and is working on the matter?
§ LORD CHESHAMI think I am right in saying, Yes, my Lords.