Stone pleased at six-month MOT extension
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JAMIE Stone, the MP for Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross, says he is pleased that the UK Government has granted car owners a six-month exemption from MOT testing during the coronavirus outbreak.
Mr Stone had submitted a named day question last week to the Department for Transport (DfT) asking to suspend the MOT system.
He said: "I am thrilled that the Government has seen sense and extended MOT testing.
"I am glad to have been at the forefront of this campaign after relaying the concerns of my constituents at the highest levels of Government.
"We should do whatever we can do to encourage people to self-isolate at home. Extending MOT testing during the outbreak is one small step in the right direction."
Mr Stone had stated before the Government decision that "people should not be worrying about their MOT when they're supposed to be at home self-isolating".
He had urged for the MOT suspension on heavy goods vehicles to be extended to all vehicles.
With the suspension in place now, the Government, however, warns that all vehicles must still be kept in a roadworthy condition and motorists could still face prosecution if they're caught driving unsafe vehicles.
Garages will remain open for essential repair work.
Mr Stone said: "Safety must always come first.
"Whilst in normal times I would not advocate this kind of measure, it is critical that we do everything we can to discourage people from spreading coronavirus."
