§ Lord Lucas of ChilworthMy Lords, I beg to move that the draft Motor Vehicles Tyres (Safety) Regulations 1984, laid before the House on 27th June, be approved.
These regulations have been laid in draft under powers contained in the Consumer Safety Act 1978. They form the second part of the department's measures to improve tyre safety. The first part —improved tyre tread depth—came into effect on 1st November 1983.
There has been widespread concern over the sale of potentially dangerous sub-standard tyres. Some motorists have been sold tyres whose speed capability is less than 20 miles per hour. These tyres come from defective batches which manufacturers sell cheaply for use on low-speed vehicles. Some manufacturers clearly mark the tyres to this effect, but others do not or unscrupulous tyre dealers buff off the markings before selling them to unsuspecting members of the public.
There has also been concern over the quality of some re-treaded tyres. Retreads (also known as remoulds) are tyres which, having worn out the tread pattern, are given a new tread to extend their life. A retread clearly is only as good as its casing. Unfortunately, unsuitable casings are sometimes used, or they are inadequately prepared, or the new tread is inadequately applied.
As a result, these regulations have been laid. If approved, they will make it illegal from 1st January 1985 to supply a new car tyre unless it is approved to the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (ECE) Regulation 30 and marked "E". Tyres have to pass a searching combined load and speed performance drum test. It will also be illegal to supply a retreaded tyre unless it has been manufactured and marked in accordance with British Standard 458 BSAU144b of 1977. This lays down requirements for examining and preparing the tyre casing before processing and the inspection of the finished tyre. It also requires retreaded tyres to be capable of being used at motorway speeds.
In future, manufacturers who downgrade sub-standard car tyres will be required to remove the "E" approval mark which will make it illegal to supply those tyres in the United Kingdom. Any manufacturer who ignores this requirement risks heavy fines and the withdrawal of his approval certificate to make tyres of the type in question.
The regulations have a wide scope and bite on all tyre suppliers, not just manufacturers. Tyre dealers, for instance, will have to take all reasonable steps and exercise all due diligence to avoid committing an offence.
We believe that these draft regulations are an important step forward in improving tyre safety. They have, quite deservedly, received widespread support, including that of the tyre industry itself. I believe that when these regulations are in force they will stop the sale of sub-standard tyres in this country. I commend the draft regulations to your Lordships.
Moved, That the draft regulations laid before the House on 27th June be approved.—(Lord Lucas of Chilworth.)
§ Lord UnderhillMy Lords, I thank the noble Lord the Minister for outlining the regulations. I do not think that we need say much about them except that they are worthwhile and in the interests of road safety. I am very pleased that the noble Lord emphasised the fact that the tyre manufacturers have given them their full support. We know the problems that there are with certain re-treaded tyres.
Can the Minister say whether supplies of re-treaded or inferior tyres come in from overseas? If so, can we be assured that we can also stop their import, in addition to any police supervision that we may have when they are on a vehicle? Is there any reason why the date of operation is not until 1st January 1985 as regards the first use of the tyre?
§ Lord Beaumont of WhitleyMy Lords, I, too, should like to thank the noble Lord the Minister for explaining the regulations, and join in congratulating the Government. This is the second part of their two-pronged attack on the tyre problem. The way they have tackled it and have succeeded in producing the regulations is admirable.
§ Lord Lucas of ChilworthMy Lords, I am most grateful to the noble Lords, Lord Underhill and Lord Beaumont of Whitley, for their reception of these draft regulations. The noble Lord, Lord Underhill, asked about the date for bringing into effect the regulations. Of all the organisations representing the tyre industry which we consulted, only the British Rubber Manufacturers Association said that three months was sufficient. The National Tyre Distributors Association, which represents the tyre dealers, said that its members probably needed six months to clear old stock. The ITMA, which represents foreign manufacturers, also said that its members needed at least six months. That seems a not unreasonable timescale. 459 Overseas manufactured tyres will have to comply with ECE Regulation 30 and be suitably marked, as will any re-treaded or remoulded tyres from overseas. They will also have to conform to the British standard. I do not have it to hand, but I am sure that noble Lords will accept that it clearly sets down the markings that re-tread or remould tyres must have.
I am grateful to both noble Lords for underlining the importance of the regulations. As the House will know, very many accidents are caused by the ill-use of certain tyres. We are sure that when the regulations come into force they will have a marked effect in reducing certainly the risk of accidents due to tyre failure and inadequate tyres. I commend the regulations to the House.
On Question, Motion agreed to.