§ Mr. Conlanasked the Secretary of State for Transport what was the maximum speed, under normal conditions, at which the Transport Road and Research Laboratory tests on non-standard motor car spare wheels were found to be satisfactory.
§ Mr. Peter BottomleyTests were conducted under extreme driving conditions at varying speeds to ascertain the car's handling performance. The maximum speed in normal driving conditions was not checked but the handling tests indicated that 50 mph would be safe.
§ Mr. Conlanasked the Secretary of State for Transport what information has been sent to him by the Automobile Association on the use of non-standard motor car spare wheels, and on the desirability of a handling test to ensure adequate safety.
§ Mr. Peter BottomleyI have placed in the Library a copy of the AA's report on this subject dated April 1985. It contains arguments in favour of a handling test. It was not possible to get international agreement to such a test in the discussions leading up to the adoption of ECE regulation 64.
§ Mr. Conlanasked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will now commission an assessment by his Department into the benefits to motorists of the supply of non-standard motor car spare wheels by vehicle manufacturers.
§ Mr. Peter BottomleyNo. The Department is not responsible for advising consumers on possible costs and benefits associated with different models of car or car equipment.