§ Mr. Hiltonasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the desirability of further research into tractor design and the need for fitted safety cabs or frame, in order to minimise the risk of fatal accident to tractor operators.
§ Mr. Scott-HopkinsInvestigations made by my Department's safety officers show that there is little doubt that properly made and fitted safety frames (including cabs) can reduce the risk of fatal accidents to tractor operators. The National Institute of Agricultural Engineering are already carrying out a programme of research on tractor design, and are also doing a great deal of work on anti-roll devices and on the development and testing of safety frames. They have set up equipment for testing safety frames made by private firms. The British Standards Institute are also working on the production of a standard test for safety frames and the method of applying it.
§ Mr. Hiltonasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will introduce legislation to require manufacturers of tractors to conform to the greatest possible safety standards.
§ Mr. Scott-HopkinsThis point is already covered by the Agriculture (Field Machinery) Regulations, 1962, made under the Agriculture (Safety, Health and Welfare Provisions) Act, 1956. From 1st July, 1964, it will be an offence to sell a new tractor for use in agriculture in Great Britain which does not comply with the Regulations.