HL Deb 20 May 1965 vol 266 cc551-3

3.6 p.m.

LORD WILLIS

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, in view of the large number of cars which are stolen each year and the extra burden of work which this places upon the police, they will introduce regulations making it compulsory for all vehicles to be fitted with antitheft devices.]

THE JOINT PARLIAMENTARY UNDER-SECRETARY OF STATE, HOME OFFICE (LORD STONHAM)

My Lords, the view has hitherto been taken that this must be a matter for individual decision. But the Government are anxious not to neglect any measures which might prove effective in reducing this type of crime, with its attendant inconvenience and loss to the public and heavy work placed upon the police. The problems involved in any kind of compulsion in this matter, which are considerable, are being further studied by my right honourable and learned friend the Home Secretary and my right honourable friend the Minister of Transport.

LORD WILLIS

My Lords, I thank my noble friend for that excellent Parliamentary reply. May I ask him whether he is aware that in West Germany there has been legislation of this character for some time, that it has had important effects and produced a drastic reduction in the number of thefts of vehicles? Would he not think that the time has come to "blow the dust off this one" and to get the Minister of Transport, together with the motor manufacturers and the Home Office, to do something about it more urgently than was suggested in his reply?

LORD STONHAM

My Lords, I am, of course, aware of the fortunate results which have flowed from the legislation introduced in West Germany in 1960 and, particularly, of the 50 per cent. reduction in the theft of cars for joy rides. With regard to the second part of my noble friend's question, I thought that in my original Answer I made it clear that not only were we aware of this but that my right honourable and learned friend the Home Secretary and my right honourable friend the Minister of Transport are getting together on this matter and will no doubt reach conclusions.

LORD DERWENT

My Lords, would the Minister agree that one of the urgent tasks that the police have to perform quite frequently is to remove cars which are causing an obstruction and that this usually has to be done in a comparative hurry? Would not the idea of the noble Lord Lord Willis, make this particular task much more difficult?

LORD STONHAM

My Lords, I do not know that it will make it much more difficult; because if, say, a gear-locking device were fitted, that would not prevent the front of the car from being lifted and the car being towed away, which is what is done in the case of a wrecked car.

LORD DERWENT

My Lords, is the noble Lord not aware that the quickest way is to drive them away?

LORD STONHAM

My Lords, I was aware of that; even that news has penetrated into the Home Office; but it is also the case that even in this country the police are confronted with the problem of locked cars which are causing an obstruction. The difficulties then are no different from those which would result in using the device recommended by my noble friend.

LORD WILLIS

My Lords, may I ask my noble friend when he feels that the Home Office and the Ministry of Transport, after discussions, will be ready to make a statement on this?

LORD STONHAM

My Lords, I think it would be wrong for me to attempt a forecast; but perhaps my noble friend will put down another Question after the Whitsun Recess.

LORD SOMERS

My Lords, in view of his previous answer, I wonder whether the noble Lord realises that the gear-locking device affects the rear wheels and that it is not much use, therefore, lifting the front of the car?

LORD STONHAM

In that case, my Lords, they would lift the back.

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