HL Deb 13 March 1992 vol 536 cc1493-4

11.19 a.m.

Lord Desai asked Her Majesty's Government:

How the Citizen's Charter will protect the interests of motorists.

The Minister of State, Department of Transport (Lord Brabazon of Tara)

My Lords, the Citizen's Charter aims to control the dreaded cone, minimise delays on the roads, make better use of available road space and enhance the information available to motorists to inform their journey planning and progress. We also intend to publish service standards where we can, mainly for the department's agencies, and we will be conducting a survey of motorists to find out what they want from the motorway and trunk road network.

Lord Desai

My Lords, I thank the Minister for that Answer. However, does he not agree that the right of motorists to information about the cars they purchase, especially second-hand cars, should also be protected? Does he therefore agree that we need some further measure to prevent the practice of clocking which goes on in the second-hand car trade? What do the Government intend to do about that?

Lord Brabazon of Tara

My Lords, on the subject of clocking the noble Lord may like to refer to a Written Question which I answered only yesterday or the day before. My Answer set out new proposals to try to deal with the problem of clocking which will be of benefit to those wishing to buy second-hand cars.

Lord Clinton-Davis

My Lords, is it not remarkable that the Minister had nothing to say about enhancing standards of car security in view of the wave of car crime which is afflicting this country? Is it not remarkable that he said nothing about the provision of better car servicing standards so that motorists are not so easily duped? Is it not remarkable that he said nothing about the provision of incentives for those wishing to fit catalytic converters? May I recommend to the Minister a document that the Labour Party has published which deals with all those matters and is entitled Quality Motoring? It is good reading.

Lord Brabazon of Tara

My Lords, the noble Lord can recommend the document to me as much as he likes. Whether I shall read it or take note of it is another matter.

Lord Harmar-Nicholls

My Lords, is my noble friend aware that any intelligent reading of The Citizen's Charter shows that it gives sensible guidelines to protect the freedoms and well-being of all citizens, and that of course includes motorists?

Lord Brabazon of Tara

My Lords, my noble friend is quite right. I hope that the measures which I outlined in my original Answer will be of great benefit to motorists.

Lord Williams of Elvel

My Lords, can the Minister tell the House as a matter of information how many cones there are on British motorways now as opposed to the number of cones on British motorways when the Citizen's Charter was announced?

Lord Brabazon of Tara

No, my Lords.