§ Mr. John Ellisasked the Secretary of State for Transport what steps his Department takes to test the roadworthiness of heavy goods vehicles.
§ Mr. HoramHeavy goods vehicles and trailers are subject to annual tests carried out at special stations staffed by my Department. They cover braking systems, wheels and tyres, steering, suspension, lights, exhaust systems and the structural condition of the vehicle. In addition, there are frequent spot checks by the roadside, and my engineers visit operators' premises to ensure that adequate maintenance facilities are available and are used.
§ Mr. John Ellisasked the Secretary of State for Transport what proportion of heavy goods vehicles involved in accidents in 1975 had defects which might have contributed to the cause or the severity of the accidents; and how this compares with cars.
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§ Mr. HoramI regret that detailed information is not available. A recent survey carried out by the Transport and Road Research Laboratory shows that vehicle defects were considered to be the main contributory factor in about 8 per cent. of the accidents investigated.