§ Sir A. HOLBROOKasked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that owners of traction engines, used in the conveyance of timber from plantations, are being pressed to have these engines fitted with rubber tyres; that apart from the high cost of the rubber tyres they would, if fitted to these traction engines, prevent them being used off the roads in wet weather, and that even on the roads in such weather they would be unsafe for other traffic; and whether, in the circumstances, he will reconsider the issue of Regulations enforcing the use of rubber tyres on the engines referred to?
§ Colonel ASHLEYI think I cannot do better than refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the answer which I gave on the 27th April to a question by my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for the Newbury Division of Berkshire (Brigadier-General Clifton Brown), a copy of which I am sending him. From it he will observe that I do not contemplate making Regulations on this subject at the present time. I should add, however, that I am unable to concur in the views expressed that rubber tyres on these vehicles, when used for haulage on the roads, are unsafe in wet weather.