Written question asked by Brian H Donohoe (Labour), in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 23 January 1997. It was answered by John Bowis (Conservative) on Thursday, 23 January 1997 on behalf of the Department of Transport.

Dept of Transport

Question: If his Department has completed its assessment of the reliability of the research undertaken as part of the New Car Assessment Programme; what information collated under the New Car Assessment Programme will not be published by his Department; and when the research results for other models of vehicle covered by the New Car Assessment Programme will be published.

Answer: Mr. Donohoe: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if his Department has completed its assessment of the reliability of the research undertaken as part of the new car assessment programme; what information collated under the new car assessment programme will not be published by his Department; and when the research results for other models of vehicle covered by the new car assessment programme will be published. [12134] Mr. Bowis: We are confident that the tests which we are carrying out give a reliable picture of how cars would perform in real accidents. Consumer information on all the tests and a more detailed Transport Research Laboratory research report will be published. Any information provided in confidence by manufacturers on their own internal test work will not be published. The test programme is now being taken forward jointly by an international partnership called Euro NCAP. Apart from the Department of Transport, those involved presently include the Swedish National Road Administration, the Federation Internationale de l'Automobile, Royal Automobile Club, the Automobile Association and International Testing, representing consumer organisations. Consumer information on the super-mini phase will be published under the Euro NCAP banner as will subsequent results for family cars this summer, and the Escort/Golf group in spring 1998.

Secondary information