§ 39. Mr. Beswickasked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation if he will state the evidence supporting the claim that there is no significant addition to the safety of air passengers seated in rearward-facing seats and on which he bases his decision not to make such rearward-facing seats mandatory on new British aircraft.
§ Mr. NeaveEvidence on the greater safety of rearward-facing seats is not conclusive, but we have decided to set up a 1111 small working group under the chairmanship of our Chief Aeronautical Adviser to review this complex question.
§ Mr. BeswickIs the Parliamentary Secretary aware that this is a most unsatisfactory position? He is unable to give any evidence at all controverting the view that the rearward-facing seat is much safer. Every technical authority has voiced that opinion, the Air Registration Board has recommended it, the Royal Air Force has accepted it, and ought not he to be doing something about it?
§ Mr. NeaveIt is difficult to give details on this very confused question in a supplementary answer. We think that it ought to be reviewed again and that is why my right hon. Friend took that course. It may be that as a result of the review we may be able to make a further statement to the House.