HL Deb 30 October 1997 vol 582 cc265-6WA
The Earl of Haddington

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they intend to recall the products of the five kit and replica manufacturers given single vehicle approval (SVA) after 1 January 1998 for re-test in order for these products to be re-tested in accordance with the amendments they propose to announce in their final SVA specifications contained in the Motor Vehicles (Approval) Regulations 1996 which came into force on 1 July 1997 and which have been the subject of a consultation exercise that will end on 14 November 1997.

Baroness Hayman

No. Once a vehicle passes the single vehicle approval (SVA) test it can be licensed and registered for use on roads in Britain. If elements of the test are changed as proposed in our current consultation, the changes will not be retrospective; existing Minister's approval certificates issued under the existing SVA requirements will remain valid.

The Earl of Haddington

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they have any plans to delay, are able to delay, or will consider delaying the final implementation date of their single vehicle approval specifications beyond the 1 January 1998 following their statement that it is anticipated that amendments will be made to the Motor Vehicle (Approval) Regulations 1996 by 1 January 1998 following a consultation exercise ending on 14 November 1997.

Baroness Hayman

We do not at the moment have any plans to delay the implementation date of the single vehicle approval specifications, but a final decision on how best to proceed can only be made after the responses to the current consultation exercise have been considered.

The Earl of Haddington

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether, in the interest of public safety, they are considering introducing a requirement for kit and replica car manufacturers to supply notification about design changes to their vehicles.

Baroness Hayman

No. The new single vehicle approval test for amateur-built cars will establish whether or not it is safe for a vehicle to enter service on public roads. Because each vehicle will be tested individually, it will not be necessary for kit-car manufacturers to notify any changes in the design of their vehicles.