asked the Minister of Transport whether, in view of the number of accidents caused by the failure of the breaking system on heavy goods vehicles, he will introduce regulations requiring manufacturers of these vehicles to fit two power braking systems, in addition to a hand brake.

The proposals I have circulated will require goods vehicles generally to have two means of braking of specified efficiencies. The braking systems of most heavy vehicles will need power assistance to meet these efficiencies but I think it unnecessary to insist on this or to rule out a hand brake as one of the two means of braking provided it attains the required efficiency. Hand brakes as well as foot brakes can, of course, have power assistance.