§ Sir Michael McNair-WilsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether there are absolute safety standards governing the construction of motor cars and vehicles in the United Kingdom; and whether there are any proposals for an EC directive on the subject.
§ Mr. ChopeYes. All new cars and goods vehicles must meet at least the saftey standards in national vehicle type approval. Type approval is based largely on standards agreed in the EC and in the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe, and it covers the inspection of prototype vehicles and manufacturers' arrangements for ensuring conformity of production. An EC-wide whole vehicle type approval scheme is being developed, to allow manufacturers the option of obtaining whole vehicle approval in any EC member state, but this will not in any way comprise safety standards.