§ 2. Mr. Pageasked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation if he will give the comparative death rates associated, respectively, with making a journey by air, train, four-wheeled motor vehicle, motor cycle, pedal cycle and on foot.
§ Mr. NugentNo reliable estimates can at present be made of the risk of travel by air, on foot or as a passenger in a motor vehicle or on a motor cycle. The Road Research Laboratory has, however, estimated the comparative death rates in Great Britain per 1,000 million miles travelled for drivers of four-wheeled motor vehicles, passengers by train, motor cycle riders and pedal cyclists. Its conclusions are contained in a research note which will be published in due course, and I will see that my hon. Friend has a copy.
§ Mr. PageIs not it a fact that travel by motor cycle is about twenty-three times as dangerous as travel by car? Does not this sort of thing show that a new attitude is required towards safety? I congratulate my hon. Friend on the measures adopted, but could not he formulate some really effective campaign to deal with the dangers on the roads?
§ Mr. NugentWe are just about to engage on the campaign for this year, and we are always glad of support from any quarter.