§ Mr. MillsTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is his estimate of the savings to Her Majesty's Government from changing the present practice of removing tyres from ministerial cars at 2 mm tread depth to one of allowing tyres to wear down to the 1mm plus unit of tread level specified in current construction and use regulations; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. ChopeIt is departmental policy to ensure that ministerial cars comply in all respects with current construction and use regulations.
Tyres are checked regularly by the drivers to ensure that there is a minimum of 1 mm over three quarters of the width, and there is a similar check when the vehicles are serviced. A decision on whether to replace or not is taken based on the tyres' overall condition.