Mr. Alan Lee Williamsasked the Secretary of State for Transport what further representations he has made to the chairman of the Health and Safety Commission about the need to bring forward proposals for improving the regulation of the transport of dangerous goods by road; what action he proposes for the protection of the public in the meantime; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. William RodgersFirst, I have told the chairman of the Health and Safety Commission that I expect the tanker labelling regulations to be produced now very quickly, and that I propose to have them on the statute book before the end of this year.
Second, I have again stressed the urgency of comprehensive regulations for the transport of dangerous goods including in particular the design of vehicles. The Commission expects to issue a consultative document by October, with a view to producing final proposals as soon as possible next year.
Third, to deal with the interim period, I have decided to tighten the enforcement 777W of existing requirements by greater concentration of the efforts of the Department's staff of vehicle examiners on the relevant categories of vehicles carrying dangerous substances, in particular by increasing the frequency of vehicle tests and other checks. I shall be holding discussions very soon, both with the chairman of the Health and Safety Commission and with the industry about all these matters and about the possibility of further urgent action both by means of legislation and in other ways.