§ Lord Trefgarneasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether local highway authorities (other than the Department of Transport) insist that cast iron fittings installed at or near the surface of roads for which they are responsible and imported from outside the European Community are manufactured to meet the relevant British or other appropriate standards; and
What steps are taken by local highway authorities (other than the Department of Transport) to ensure that the cast iron fittings 41WA installed at or near the surface of roads for which they are responsible and are imported from outside the European Community meet the relevant British or other appropriate standards.
§ The Minister of State, Department of Transport (Lord Brabazon of Tara)This is primarily a matter for local highway authorities. We would expect a highway authority to establish that the cast iron fittings are manufactured to a standard offering equivalent guarantee of safety, suitability and fitness for purpose to the relevant British Standard (BS 497) and are checked accordingly.
§ Lord Trefgarneasked Her Majesty's Government:
What checks are carried out on cast iron fittings supplied from outside the European Community, and intended for installation at or near the surface of trunk roads and motorways, to ensure that such fittings meet the relevant British or other appropriate standards.
§ Lord Brabazon of TaraI refer the noble Lord to my answer of 15th January. Cast iron fittings on trunk roads and motorways currently have to meet the requirements of BS 497 and be kite marked. The kite mark procedure ensures that the fittings are checked and meet the British Standard requirement. Cast iron fittings manufactured to other standards are checked to ensure that they offer equivalent guarantees of safety, suitability and fitness for purpose.