Mr. W. E. Garrettasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he has reached any conclusions on the representations made by growers who use narrow or vineyard-type tractors and who foresee difficulties in obtaining new models when the Quiet Cab Regulations come into force.
§ Mr. StrangYes. This is a subject on which I have had the benefit of discussions with the Farm Safety Steering Group. In the light of those discussions my right hon. Friends have concluded, subject to any observations which the Health and Safety Commission may make, that some form of exemption from the noise level provisions would be justified for new tractors of this type in strictly limited circumstances. They have in mind that this should be done under Regulation 8 of the Agriculture (Tractor Cabs) Regulations 1974, S.I. 1974 No. 2034. There will be consultations with the industry on the detailed application of the decision.