§ Mr. Moneyasked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will introduce legislation to make it compulsory for all tank units on articulated vehicles carrying toxic or corrosive loads to be fitted with steel legs.
§ Mr. LaneI have been asked to reply.
Although steel legs may be advantageous in some circumstances, it is doubtful whether they are of such general benefit as to justify a statutory requirement for their use. My right hon. Friend is, however, asking his Standing Advisory Committee on Dangerous Substances to consider the matter.
§ Mr. Moneyasked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will make a statement regarding an incident involving the shedding of a tank containing 6,000 gallons of petrol from an articulated lorry at the junction of Greyfriars Road with St. Peter's Street and College Street in Ipswich on 16th July and the extent to which the provision of steel legs for the tank unit obviated further damage.
§ Mr. LaneI have been asked to reply.
I understand that in this incident the motive unit of an articulated vehicle separated from its tank trailer when drawing away from traffic lights. The trailer came to rest on two steel forelegs and none of the petroleum-spirit was spilled. The fitting of such legs is permitted under the Petroleum-Spirit (Conveyance by Road) Regulations 1957, and may well have operated in this case to save the tank from rupture.