§ Lord ALLEN of ABBEYDALEasked Her Majesty's Government:
What progress has been made with consulting manufacturers and others, as foreshadowed in a reply given on 2nd March last, about improving the facilities for testing speedometers.
§ Baroness STEDMANContrary to what was earlier understood, it now appears from inquiries made that most vehicle and1734WA speedometer manufacturers are not in fact currently providing facilities to the public for speedometer testing. However, there are a number of approved agencies set up by manufacturers for the purpose of checking tachographs, and particular agencies may be willing to check speedometers if application is made to them. I will send the noble Lord a list of the agencies. The main reason given by manufacturers and dealers for the absence of facilities is the lack of demand. The point is also made that, according to road tests, the accuracy of speedometers does not tend to deteriorate significantly in use.