§ Mr. Iain Millsasked the Secretary of State for Transport if he has decided to amend the regulations governing tyre tread depth; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Peter BottomleyOn 25 February I held a meeting with the organisations most concerned to discuss the information set out in the Department's consultation paper about the enforcement and road safety implications of the 1983 regulations on tyre tread depth. In the light of this information and the opinions expressed at the meeting I have concluded that the present regulations can be enforced without undue difficulty and that the changes proposed by the tyre industry and others would impose a substantial cost to road users without any significant benefit to road safety. I therefore see no reason to amend the regulations.