HL Deb 17 December 1964 vol 262 cc535-6
LORD MONTAGU OF BEAULIEU

My Lords, I beg leave to ask the first Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.

[The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will exempt "veteran" and "vintage" vehicles from the new regulations governing motor rallies.]

THE PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY, MINISTRY OF TRANSPORT (LORD LINDGREN)

My Lords, if rallies of these vehicles are competitions or trials involving the use of motor vehicles on the public highway, they fall to be regulated under Section 36 of the Road Traffic Act, 1962. We do not consider that there is any difference in principle between competitions or trials involving historic vehicles and those involving others. Both could be a hazard and a nuisance to other road users and local residents.

LORD MONTAGU OF BEAULIEU

My Lords, while thanking the noble Lord for that Answer, may I ask whether he is aware that the main concern of the clubs is that Clause 5 of Appendix I of the Chesham Report forbids the use of the same road twice in one day? Due to the very complex character of some of these cars, it might not be possible always to use a different road when coming back to the same point.

LORD LINDGREN

Yes, my Lords. But if the noble Lord looks at the recommendation he will see that it allows exemptions on Class I and trunk roads for return journeys within the regulations themselves, even if vehicles are returning from a competition. In most of these rallies, say, for instance, the London to Brighton Run, the vehicles go down under competition rules and will be regulated. When Brighton is reached the competition is over and they come back free and easy and will, therefore, be outside the regulations. If it were a competition on return, they might have to be re-routed, but the regulations will allow for exemptions.