§ Mr. BAKERasked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that serious damage is caused to the roads by the use of heavy motor vehicles which are badly sprung and in a state of bad repair; and whether he will seek powers to enable him to test all such vehicles?
§ Mr. GOSLINGVehicles which are badly sprung undoubtedly cause unnecessary damage to roads. The question of the regular examination and testing of motor vehciles has been considered by the Departmental Committee on the Taxation and Regulation of Road Vehicles, and in paragraph 65 of their Second Interim Report they gave it as their opinion that the work involved, and the heavy expense entailed, would render any such proposal impracticable, at any rate at the present time. I am disposed to concur with the views expressed by the Committee.
§ Mr. BAKERasked the Minister of Transport whether his attention has been called to the death of Mr. Alfred Thomas Jenkins, who was crushed by a defective motor lorry laden with four tons of bricks; whether he is aware that the vehicle had been purchased for £21; and whether, in 1788W the general interests of the community, he will seek powers to enable him to test private commercial vehicles?
§ Mr. GOSLINGMy attention has not been drawn to the accident referred to by the hon. Member, but if he will furnish me with further details, I will consider whether I can usefully make any inquiries into the matter. As regards the last part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the answer already given to him in reply to an earlier question.