HC Deb 01 July 1980 vol 987 cc512-3W
Mr. Greville Janner

asked the Minister of Transport (1) whether he will institute an inquiry concerning the safety of tyre sealants; and if he will consider the report of the Automobile Association which shows that tyre sealants are dangerously unreliable;

(2) whether he will issue regulations requiring all tyre sealants to carry labels stating that they are for emergency use only;

(3) whether or not tyres containing sealant breach the safety standards set out in the construction and use regulations.

Mr. Kenneth Clarke

Tyre sealants of all kinds should be used with the greatest caution. A tyre that is punctured can be weakened internally and its continued use, except at very low speeds, could be dangerous and may also be an offence under the Construction and Use Regulations.

The safe course is always to replace the punctured tyre at once with the spare. If a tyre sealant is used, it should be regarded only as an emergency get-you-home measure and the vehicle should not be driven at speeds over 40 mph. The tyre should be examined and permanently repaired or replaced at the earliest opportunity.

I am asking distributors of such sealants to ensure that purchasers receive clear instructions to this effect.

Mr. Greville Janner

asked the Minister of Transport how many accidents he estimates have been caused during the past five years due to unsafe tyre sealants.

Mr. Kenneth Clarke

I regret to say that the information is not available.