§ Mr. Churchillasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what action he has taken to arrange for all invalid tricycles involved in accidents to be transported to, and examined for mechanical defects at, independent non-Department of Health garages, and to be inspected by police vehicle examiners;
(2) what action he has taken to advise police forces over the handling defects and unsafe mechanical condition of invalid tricycles now in use; what safety test reports and statistics have been provided to them; and what advice such authorities have been given in connection with prosecuting drivers who are involved in accidents or driving offences due to such defects.
§ Dr. SummerskillThe enforcement of the law and regulations relating to road traffic, including the investigation of the circumstances and causes of accidents, is entirely a matter for individual chief officers of police.
§ Mr. Churchillasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he 317W will list the total number of prosecutions and convictions, respectively, in relation to driving offences involving drivers of Department of Health and Social Security invalid tricycles with manual gearbox, automatic transmission models and four-wheeled vehicles, respectively, listing the numbers under each category of offence, for the years ended 31st March 1973, 1974, 1975 and 1976, respectively;
(2) if he will list the total number of prosecutions and convictions, respectively, where drivers of invalid tricycles with manual gearbox, automatic transmission and four-wheeled vehicles, respectively, pleaded not guilty to driving offences on the grounds that their vehicles were unsafe or mechanically defective, listing the numbers under each category of offence, for the years ended 31st March 1973, 1974, 1975 and 1976, respectively.
§ Dr. SummerskillI regret that the information requested is not available.