§ 43. Mr. Shortasked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation how many motor cyclists were killed in accidents during 1955; and in how many cases death was due to head injuries to motor cyclists who were not wearing crash helmets.
§ Mr. MolsonOne thousand one hundred and forty-six motor cyclists were killed in road accidents in 1955. Of these 747 were reported not to have been wearing crash helmets. It is not known how many of these died from head injuries.
§ Mr. ShortDoes not the Minister think that it is about time he got figures of this sort? Does he not think it is about time that he took the obvious step, in view of these figures, of making the wearing of crash helmets compulsory? Can he not do anything to lay down adequate minimum standards for the construction of crash helmets, some of which are at present not really worth wearing?
§ Mr. MolsonI do not know whether the hon. Gentleman was present recently when the matter was very fully debated during consideration of the Road Traffic Bill. The general opinion on both sides of the House was strongly against the use of compulsory powers. I am glad to say that there has been a very great increase in the use of crash helmets in the last two or three years. Indeed, the Road 1322 Research Laboratory estimates that one in three motor cyclists use crash helmets. We think it is largely because of that that there has been a reduction in the proportion of deaths from accidents to motor cyclists. My right hon. Friend is considering whether he can take any further steps to encourage the purchase of crash helmets which comply with the British Standards Institution specification.
§ Mr. G. R. StraussHas any progress been made since our discussions on the Road Traffic Bill about getting helmets which are really safe and which do not turn out to be shoddy? In view of the large number of accidents which still occur to motor cyclists who are not wearing crash helmets, will the right hon. Gentleman consider undertaking considerable national education in this matter?
§ Mr. MolsonAs regards the right hon. Gentleman's first question, we are investigating the matter, as we undertook to do. As regards the second, the development is going extremely satisfactorily at present. We take every opportunity of urging motor cyclists to use crash helmets, and although we should like to have 100 per cent of them doing so, the position is not unsatisfactory.