New laws for danger hauls
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NEW AND more widespread regulations governing the carriage of dangerous goods by road can be expected within the next 12 months.
The Health and Safety Executive is well advanced in preparing regulations, which include substances not so far regulated, John Horam, Under Secretary for Transport, told the Commons.
Consultation on the proposals were expected during 1978 and then the Minister would receive formal proposals for the regulations thought necessary.
Mr Horam noted later that about 400 hazardous chemicals were subject to legislation requiring special safety information and precautions when transported by road.
On the basis of a survey undertaken a few years ago it was estimated that there were approximately 3,000,00 tanker journeys a year on the roads in Great Britain.
Audrey Wise (Labour, Coventry South West), who has already suggested, without success, that dangerous chemicals should not be transported during the firemen's strike, wanted to know hOw accidents would be dealt with.
But all that Home Secretary Merlyn Rees would say was that in present circumstances, where necessary, arrangements had been made with the other emergency services to provide assistance.