HL Deb 16 October 1997 vol 582 cc545-7

3.20 p.m.

Lord Campbell of Croy

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What changes they propose should be made in the statutory system of testing motor cars after three years on the road in order to improve safety standards and to protect the interests of car owners.

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions (Baroness Hayman)

My Lords, we keep the MoT scheme under continuous review. We have no plans to introduce major new items into the car test or to make any changes to the arrangements for carrying out tests, although we are planning to introduce more extensive checks on seat belts as from next February. We are also planning to introduce computerisation into the scheme over the next few years to enable the department's vehicle inspectorate to monitor testing standards more closely, to help ensure a high level of compliance and to improve consumer protection.

Lord Campbell of Croy

My Lords, I am grateful to the Minister for her reply which shows that progress is being made. Does she agree that there are two serious weaknesses at present: first, that some garages fail to discover important defects; and, secondly, that other garages overcharge customers by prescribing work not necessary for the test? As about a quarter of all the cars in the country of three or more years of age come up for the test in July each year owing to the popularity of new registration letters issued only in August, will the Minister tell us when that system is to be changed to relieve the pressure on garages at one particular time of the year?

Baroness Hayman

My Lords, to take the second part of the noble Lord's question first, we are looking, with the motor industry, at changing the system of the annual peak in car sales. We have reached the point where we have pretty well agreed that as soon as possible after the R registration expires we will introduce a six monthly system of change, which is what the industry was asking for, until the current alphabet expires. We shall then look at a new system for number plates which will also be on a six-monthly basis.

As regards the first point made by the noble Lord, we are looking at ways of ensuring that there are uniformly high standards among the many outlets that provide MoT tests at the moment. As well as the computerisation system, which will allow us to monitor results from individual garages, the vehicle inspectorate will shortly be introducing a new disciplinary system for dealing with bad testing.

Lord Brougham and Vaux

My Lords, what plans, if any, do the Government have for testing emissions on older cars which pollute the air in London and other cities?

Baroness Hayman

My Lords, emission testing is now part of the MoT test, and that is important. But, of course, the MoT test takes place only once a year. Noble Lords may be aware that we have introduced an experimental scheme of roadside emission testing that local authorities can undertake to target such cars, and the antisocial behaviour of people who are running cars with high emissions, on a fixed penalty basis. We are piloting that in six authorities.

Viscount Chelmsford

My Lords, is the Minister satisfied that the computerisation that she mentioned is fully picking up on a speedy basis, uninsured drivers and unlicensed cars?

Baroness Hayman

My Lords, I cannot give the noble Viscount that assurance at the moment because the system is not yet in place. We shall need to ensure that it interacts with the DVLA computerisation so that we have a check between the annual VED licence, the insurance status—I know that the insurance industry itself is looking at introducing a database on that—and the MoT test. When we can get those three systems talking to one another we shall have a much better enforcement system in place in this country.

Lord Bruce of Donington

My Lords, will the Minister give the House the assurance that she will not depend unduly on the results that emerge from the computer? Many of us would prefer her own judgment in these matters.

Baroness Hayman

My Lords, on policy matters, I can assure my noble friend that I do not intend to step aside for the results of a computer. In terms of the information technology and the database, I am afraid that the computer's mind is better than my own.

Lord Bowness

My Lords, will the Minister explain further about the computerisation and where exactly it is to be installed? Many of us would hope that if computerisation is introduced to the system of testing it is not done in such a way as to put an extensive burden on small but honest garages so that they are unable to undertake the testing. That would also be to the detriment of many members of the public who have older cars and who wish to keep them on the road as essentials, not luxuries. Being able to have those vehicles tested locally is important.

Baroness Hayman

My Lords, I hope that I can reassure the noble Lord. Computerisation is not intended to be a particular difficulty for the many small outlets which, as he suggested, are undertaking tests at the moment, although, as the tests become more sophisticated, for example over emissions, some of the equipment that is necessary to ensure high standards becomes more expensive to install. It is important to recognise that the present paper system of testing is unsatisfactory in many respects, not least because of the possibility for fraud and theft.