§ 7. Mr. Berryasked the Minister of Transport what plans he has to publicise the need for parents to ensure that children wear safety belts in cars.
Mr. Bob BrownAn important theme in our road safety publicity is that drivers and front seat passengers should always wear seat belts. This applies to older children as well as adults. Our Road Safety Publicity Unit is also arranging publicity for our advice that young children are safer in the back of the car preferably in a safety harness.
§ Mr. BerryI am obliged for that Answer. But is the hon. Gentleman not aware that there is still some doubt among medical opinion and other experts as to whether safety belts are the right answer for smaller children because of the state of their bones? Will he give an urgent decision in the matter and redouble his efforts, at the same time looking into the danger of small children being carried on parents' laps? This is something which many of us, including myself, are tempted to do; it is pleasant, but it is very dangerous.
Mr. BrownClearly, the safest place for a small child is on the back seat of a car, wearing a safety harness. For very young children there are special safety seats with built-in harnesses.