HC Deb 04 December 1963 vol 685 c182W
77. Mr. A. Lewis

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware of the large numbers of tankers carrying dangerous fluids such as oil, petrol and acids which crash and cause damage and loss of life following failure of the vehicles' braking systems; and whether he will make it obligatory for such vehicles to be fixed with an automatic gear box locking device which would become operative whenever the brakes fail or are below 50 per cent, efficient.

Mr. Galbraith

We do not consider that the device suggested should be made obligatory. The law already requires all goods vehicles, including tankers, to have two independent means of brake operation. We have no evidence that failure of the braking system has been responsible for any large number of accidents.