HC Deb 14 December 1955 vol 547 cc191-2W
108. Mr. K. Thompson

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what further progress has been made into the study of dazzle from road-vehicle headlamps.

110. Mr. D. Jones

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation whether he will now make a statement on the question of universal dipping of headlamps, arising from the consultations he has had with all the interested parties.

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

I propose to reserve any decision on a standard specification for headlamp performance until I receive the recommendations of the Economic Commission for Europe.

In the meanwhile, other possible steps to combat dazzle which were discussed with the interests concerned towards the end of July are being examined in my Department. These include the checking of lighting equipment on the roads, for which I am seeking powers in the Road Traffic Bill now before Parliament.

109. Mr. K. Thompson

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation to inaugurate a campaign against badly-adjusted headlamps on road vehicles and against road users who abuse them.

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

In the Road Traffic Bill now before Parliament I am seeking powers to carry out spot checks on the roads of the lighting and other equipment of motor vehicles. In conjunction with the Royal Society far the Prevention of Accidents and other bodies concerned, I am organising a vehicle maintenance campaign next autumn which will, of course, include headlamps. In the meantime, valuable experience is being gained from the voluntary tests being carried out at the Ministry's testing station at Hendon.