§ Mr. J. H. Osbornasked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will now publish details of the safety record of heavy vehicles during 1970, indicating the number of accidents due to excessive speeds, and poor maintenance, including faulty brakes; and how this record on all classes of road and in cities and towns compares with previous years.
§ Mr. Eldon GriffithsInformation for the whole of 1970 is not yet available but it is estimated that in 1969, of the 22,700 goods vehicles of over three tons unladen weight involved in injury accidents, 7 per cent. were defective or had a suspected defect. These included 1 per cent with brake defects, 1 per cent. improperly loaded and ½ per cent. with defective rear lights. Comparable information for earlier years is not available. Information on excessive speeds is not collected.
§ Mr. J. H. Osbornasked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will now make a further statement on the speed limit upon heavy vehicles.
§ Mr. PeytonAs I told my hon. Friend the Member for Shipley (Mr. Fox) on 4th February, regulations are before Parliament which would subject lorries over three tons unladen weight to a motorway speed limit of 60 m.p.h.; and raise the limit on all purpose roads for vans not exceeding 30 cwt. unladen weight to 50 m.p.h.—[Vol. 810, c. 457.]