§ Mr. Adleyasked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will take steps to institute a special licence and driving test for motorists towing caravans.
§ Mr. HoramI am not convinced that such a scheme would bring sufficient benefit to road safety to justify its imposition on caravan owners and hirers or outweigh the cost of its administration.
§ Mr. Adleyasked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will take steps to introduce a three-year roadworthiness MOT test for caravans towed on the public highway.
§ Mr. HoramCaravans are subject to the construction and use regulations, and the speed limits which apply to them are designed to ensure their stability. They are involved in less than one-eighth of 1 per cent. of road accidents. I have no evidence to suggest that they should be made subject to special roadworthiness testing.
§ Mr. Adleyasked the Secretary of State for Transport what study he has made of the arrangements for taxation of caravans in Australia and Canada; how the schemes are administered in each country; and what is the level of tax or licence fee.