§ Mr. Hal Millerasked the Minister of Transport what further steps he is taking to safeguard the public interest in cases where defects are found in motor vehicles which appear to result from faults in manufacture; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. FowlerFollowing recent public concern about the arrangements for dealing with defective vehicles, I have agreed a new code of practice with the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders. The code sets out the steps to be taken in all cases where evidence comes to light of vehicle defects resulting from faults in manufacture and which seem to have wider safety implications. Copies have been placed in the Library.
The code has four main elements.
First, a manufacturer must notify me as soon as he concludes that a particular vehicle has a serious safety defect. The 168W manufacturers have also agreed to let me have information about defects which I take up with them direct so that I may consider the evidence and advise them to take action if that seems justified.
Second, the code specifies the steps manufacturers should take to notify owners when launching recall campaigns. I am making available the facilities of the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Centre to help in contacting owners.
Third, the code recognises my right to publish information about defects when I believe this necessary in the public interest.
Finally, the code proposes a regular publication of a digest of cases on which action has been taken.
Motorcycles, trailers and caravans are not covered by the code, nor are components supplied as replacements. But I shall consider with the representative bodies concerned the possibility of similar codes for them.
I hope this new voluntary code will give the public much greater protection in future. But I shall keep the new arrangements under very close scrutiny.