§ Mr. HALESasked the Minister of Transport if, in view of accidents such as that on 4th February, near Leeds, when four persons were imprisoned in a burning motor car and were only extricated by the doors being hacked to pieces by pickaxes, he will take steps to enforce the carrying of fire extinguishers on all motor vehicles in future so as to lessen the risks of deaths by fire in road accidents?
1196W
§ Mr. PYBUS:I am afraid that the carrying of fire extinguishers on all motor vehicles would not effect the purpose which my hon. Friend has in mind. Extinguishers which are suitable for carrying on motor vehicles are useful for localising and putting out small fires, but they could not be expected to cope with a conflagration involving the main reservoir of petrol.