§ Mr. Kinnockasked the Minister of Transport (1) if he is satisfied with the manual of guidance for persons qualified to conduct his Department's tests of roadworthiness on cars especially in respect of the guidelines on examination for corrosion;
(2) if he will make the guidance on examination for corrosion contained in his Department's manual on tests of roadworthiness more specific in order to provide testers with precise criteria for deciding upon the degree of corrosion which would render a vehicle not roadworthy.
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§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeThe manual identifies 13 parts of the vehicle structure where the presence of excessive corrosion should result in failure to pass the test. An appendix gives detailed advice on the inspection of corrosion in vehicles and on the assessment of the effectiveness of its repair.
I believe that this guidance should be adequate, but if the hon. Member has a particular problem in mind and will let me have the details I will look into it.
§ Mr. Kinnockasked the Minister of Transport if he proposes to introduce a system of appeal for persons disqualified from conducting tests of roadworthiness.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeThere is no procedure for formal appeal against the withdrawal of authorisation to carry out tests, but any authorised examiner whose appointment is withdrawn has the right, under the regulations, to make representations to my right hon. Friend, who is obliged to take any such representations into consideration. I am at present reviewing these procedures.