HC Deb 10 February 1954 vol 523 c1178
15. Mr. Snow

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what action he is taking to encourage the use of crash helmets by motor-cyclists.

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

I am taking every opportunity to encourage motor-cyclists to wear safety helmets, and considerable progress has already been made and will, I hope, continue. It is not my present intention to make the use of helmets compulsory.

Mr. Snow

Has the right hon. Gentleman's Department accepted the specification produced by the British Standards Institution? I have reason to doubt that that is so. If it is to be accepted by the Ministry as a Department, can publicity be given to the matter, for instance, in the case of the manufacturers and by pictorial representation all over the country?

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

I am not quite sure what the hon. Gentleman means by "accept."I mentioned in the House and in a broadcast that the British Standards Institution had come to definite recommendations. I have seen a crash helmet to this specification at the headquarters of the Road Research Laboratory, and I give it every possible encouragement.