§ 3.8 p.m.
§ Lord LUCAS of CHILWORTHMy 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 they are satisfied that the new MoT motor-car testing arrangements brought into operation on 1st January last are operating satisfactorily.
§ Baroness STEDMANYes, my Lords.
§ Lord LUCAS of CHILWORTHMy Lords, I thank the noble Baroness for her Answer. Is she aware that she is in a minority? Is she further aware that the rate of failure has increased considerably, and that this is due in some part to the lack of knowledge of owners? Can the Ministry make official publicity available so that owners are more aware of their obligations regarding the test?
§ Baroness STEDMANMy Lords, regarding the first question, the average failure rate for the first two months of operation of the new regulations was 35.4 per cent., whereas the average failure rate for the first two months of 1976 was 31.4 per cent., so there is not a considerable increase in the number of vehicles that have failed under the new methods.
In so far as publicity is concerned, we had consultations on the draft proposals with some 150 organisations before the 269 proposals were introduced. They represented both the private and the commercial motorist; the vehicle manufacturing and repairing industry, the vehicle traders and the transport operators. In addition to the official Press notices which were put out, we have had a number of radio and television interviews with Ministers and officials from the Department and a considerable coverage in the newspapers. Quite frankly, within the limited budget at the disposal of the Department, we did all that we could in publicity before the test took place.
§ Lord LUCAS of CHILWORTHMy Lords, I thank the noble Baroness for her reply. Despite all those consultations, is she aware that there still remains some confusion in industry, particularly with regard to the legal position that arises where a garage repairer drives a motor vehicle belonging to a customer that has been the subject of refusal to issue a test certificate? Is she able to clarify that position?
§ Baroness STEDMANMy Lords, I am not a lawyer, but I am advised that if, after repairs, a motor mechanic drives a vehicle which does not have a current MoT certificate, an exemption from test certificate requirements is provided for road tests after repairs, where both repair and testing are carried out by a motor trader to whom a trade licence has been issued. A trade licence also exempts such use of the vehicle from the tax requirements. If no trade licence exists, then it is the responsibility of the garage to ensure that the legal requirements are met before driving the vehicle.
Lord INGLEWOODMy Lords, in older that the less technical among us may be informed of what lies behind this Question, can the noble Baroness tell us the principal difference between the old system and the new arrangements to which my noble friend takes exception?
§ Baroness STEDMANMy Lords, that is rather wider than this Question. I am happy to write to the noble Lord to inform him of the extra tests which now have to be carried out.