§ Viscount Crossasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they are aware of the hazards created at times and places of congestion on the M.25 motorway by the non-operation of stop lights, in particular those fitted to small vans, larger vans and lorries in that it is not possible to see through such vehicles as to what is happening on the road ahead; and whether they will take steps to alleviate these dangers.
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Transport (The Earl of Caithness)The operation and effectiveness of stop lights is included in the roadworthiness test to which vans and lorries must be submitted annually and, additionally, may be checked during roadside inspections undertaken by Vehicle Examiners of the Department of Transport. The day to day enforcement of road traffic law is, however, the responsibility of individual chief officers of police. We have no evidence of any special problem being caused on the M.25 by such vehicles.