§ Mr. Roger KingTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport if, following the talks with the Institute of Road Transport Engineers, future funding of research into heavy goods vehicles wheel loss has now been determined.
§ Mr. Peter Bottomley[holding answer 17 July 1989]: The principal reason for heavy goods vehicle wheel detachment is ineffective maintenance. The Department supports the initiatives being taken by the IRTE to remedy this including advice to operators.
Further research into wheel and fixing design is a matter for the industry and is being considered by the appropriate BSI committee.