HC Deb 01 February 1973 vol 849 cc423-6W
27. Mr. Fitch

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what pro- posals he now has for improving safety regulations for vehicles carrying dangerous chemicals on the roads; and if he will make a statement.

29. Mr. Spriggs

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is satisfied with the present Regulations (S.I., 1971, Nos. 1061 and 1062), respectively, relating to the conveyance by road of petroleum and inflammable substances; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Lane

The existing regulations relating to the conveyance of petroleum spirit by road are being revised. Those for other inflammable liquids and corrosive substances are being extended to govern the construction and operation of vehicles used for the conveyance of these substances. Similar regulations will subsequently be made for organic peroxides and other classes of dangerous chemicals.

Mrs. Renée Short

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many road accidents have occurred during each of the last five years involving tankers carrying corrosive liquids.

Mr. Lane

I regret that this information is not available. Notification is required only of accidents involving death or personal injury from substances to which the Petroleum (Consolidation) Act 1928 has been applied. Since 1st January 1971 four such accidents have so far been notified, all in 1972.

Mrs. Renée Short

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many deaths occurred during each of the last five years as a result of the spilling of acid due to road accidents.

Mr. Lane

Since the Petroleum (Corrosive Substances) Order 1970 (S.I. 1970, No. 1945) came into operation on 1st January 1971, we have been notified of two deaths resulting from spillages in road accidents of substances to which the order applies.

Mr. Oakes

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many accidents involving the spillage of dangerous or inflammable liquids or chemicals have occurred on roads in England and Wales during each of the last five years; and in how many such accidents injuries have been sustained.

1968 1969 1970 1971 1972
Number of accidents … … 1 4 1 4 5
Number of injuries … … 2 (2*) 10 (2*) 6 4 (1*) 13 (4*)
* Indicates the number of fatal injuries.
† The provisional figures for 1972 may not yet be complete.

Mr. Oakes

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will undertake negotiations with European countries for a uniform standard code of marking for vehicles carrying chemicals by road specifying by symbols the nature of the chemical transported.

Mr. Lane

As from 1st July 1973, the European Agreement concerning the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road (ADR) will be so amended as to provide a uniform system of labelling symbols consistent with those already adopted in the United Kingdom in regulations under the Petroleum (Consolidation) Act 1928.

Mr. Oakes

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he will introduce regulations governing the carriage of dangerous chemicals by road.

Mr. Lane

Regulations already exist to control the carriage by road of explosives, petroleum spirit, petroleum mixtures, carbon disulphide and certain compressed gases, and the labelling of vehicles and packages used to convey inflammable liquids and corrosive substances. The scope of further proposed regulations was indicated in my reply to a Question by the hon. Member for Brentford and Chiswick (Mr. Barnes) on 23rd January.—[Vol. 849, c.110.]

Mr. Oakes

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will refer to the Transport and Road Research Laboratory the question of the transport of dangerous chemicals by road, with a view to increasing the standards of safety for the drivers of these vehicles and other road users.

Mr. Lane

The existing regulations governing the conveyance by road of petroleum spirit already incorporate constructitonal and other requirements designed to secure the safety of drivers and of the

Mr. Lane

Notification is required only of accidents involving death or personal injury from substances to which the Petroleum (Consolidation) Act 1928 has been applied. The figures are as follows.

public generally, and similar safeguards will be included in the regulations, now being prepared, for the construction and operation of vehicles conveying other inflammable liquids and corrosive substances. It is for my right hon. Friend's Standing Advisory Committee on Dangerous Substances to consult the Transport and Road Research Laboratory, as necessary, in the preparation of its proposals for regulations.