HL Deb 11 July 1986 vol 478 cc579-80

11.13 a.m.

Lord Underhill

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

The Question was as follows: To ask Her Majesty's Government when it is intended to implement Section 90 of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 relating to approval of radar speed measuring devices.

Viscount Davidson

My Lords, my right honourable friend the Home Secretary made an order on 30th June under Section 145 of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 bringing Section 90 of the Act into effect on 31st July. On the same date he approved six radar speed detection devices for use by the police.

Lord Underhill

My Lords, does the noble Viscount appreciate what satisfaction his Answer will give, particularly to the motoring organisations? However, there are still two points which I should like the noble Viscount to answer. First, why has there been this considerable delay? I ask that because, although my Question refers to the 1984 regulations, in actual fact the issue has arisen as a result of an amendment to the Transport Bill 1982. I was assured in a letter from the noble Lord, Lord Elton, early in 1983 that the researches would be completed by July of that year. In fact, there was a Home Office presentation on the researches in that month. Subsequently, in answer to an oral Question from the noble Earl, Lord Kinnoull, we were assured that the new devices would be approved and the order introduced by the end of 1984. Why has there been this delay? Has it been caused by shortage of staff?

Secondly—and this is the most important question—can the noble Viscount say whether, since the amendment of 1982, any cases have been brought on devices which are now no longer approved by the Secretary of State, and if so how many?

Viscount Davidson

My Lords, I am happy that the noble Lord, Lord Underhill, was pleased with my Answer. Before Section 90 could be implemented all the types of device for use by the police had to be tested for suitability for approval. This was not completed until January 1985, with the publication of the second report on the devices. Since then work has proceeded on the implementation of the recommendations. I am only sorry that there has been this delay. As the noble Lord, Lord Underhill, said, there was a successful appeal in March 1981 against a conviction for speeding based on evidence from a radar device which resulted in an amendment to the Transport Act 1982. Since then we are not aware of any successful appeals based on technical inaccuracies of the speed measuring devices.

Lord Leatherland

My Lords, can the noble Viscount say whether the use of these radar speed measuring devices do any damage to the electrical equipment in a car?

Viscount Davidson

As far as I am aware, no, my Lords.