HC Deb 28 May 1963 vol 678 cc1112-3
30. Mr. Gresham Cooke

asked the Parliamentary Secretary for Science what research is being carried out into the visual defects of drivers of vehicles and the effect on road safety.

Mr. Denzil Freeth

A small amount of research in this field is in progress in independent institutions. Although no Government laboratory is currently engaged in such research the position is at present under review.

Mr. Gresham Cooke

Is my hon. Friend aware that a number of responsible organisations are coming more and more to the conclusion that certain visual defects, such as tunnel vision and narrowness of vision, are having effects on road safety? Is he aware that a sample survey of drivers the other day revealed that 25 per cent. of them had some visual defect or other? Would my hon. Friend agree that further research is required to discover whether statistics show that these defects have the effect on road safety that is believed?

Mr. Freeth

My noble Friend will discuss the research possibilities with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Transport. After that it may be possible to discover whether there are any openings where fruitful work might be done.