§ Mr. FlynnTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) if his Department intends to make new recommendations on the manufacture or maintenance of the systems for securing lorry wheels to axles in the light of the fatal accident at Rogerstone, Newport, Gwent on 7 April 1988;
(2) if any investigation was undertaken into the safety of lorry wheels following the fatal accident at Rogerstone, Newport, Gwent on 7 April 1988.
§ Mr. Peter BottomleyThe Department takes a continuing interest in the safety of lorry wheels through the setting of regulations, certification of vehicle components, annual testing and spot-checks. It is currently involved in consideration being given by the BSI to the recent reports by the Motor Industry Research Association, in order to see if changes are required in the current British Standard and regulations.
The importance of good maintenance standards is regularly discussed with the freight industry. Vehicles are banned or operators' licences withdrawn where maintenance is unsatisfactory. Last year 77,937 roadside spot-checks were carried out on heavy goods vehicles—36 per cent. up on the previous year.
§ Mr. Paul FlynnTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) if he will set out the information his Department has collected on accidents in the past three years that have been caused by wheels becoming detached from lorries and other large vehicles;
(2) if there has been any increase detected by his Department in the number of accidents involving wheels becoming detached from lorries.
§ Mr. Peter BottomleyThe following numbers of incidents involving wheel detachments have been reported to the Vehicle Inspectorate in the last three years:
Number 1986 37 1987 41 1988 30