HC Deb 16 June 1971 vol 819 cc443-4
41. Mr. Edelman

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what advice he has given to the British motor industry in connection with improving the safety standards of British cars, following certain proposals made by Mr. Ralph Nader, a copy of which is in his possession.

Mr. Peter Walker

Safety standards in Britain are dealt with in the Construction and Use Regulations. Standards for exported cars are a matter for the authorities of the importing country.

Mr. Edelman

Could the right hon. Gentleman now repudiate the dismissive attitude of his right hon. Friend towards Mr. Nader's proposals, as thanks to Mr. Nader's persistence the number of deaths in the United States per 100,000 vehicle miles fell last year to a record low of 4.9 compared with 5.6 in the United Kingdom? In those circumstances, will not the right hon. Gentleman now give careful consideration to Mr. Nader's proposals for improving the safety of British cars and investigate the question whether there are double standards, in terms of safety, for British cars made for export and those made for the domestic market?

Mr. Walker

The hon. Gentleman is almost suggesting that we should automatically follow whatever any other country lays down as a safety regulation. I disagree with that, as did the previous Government. We have never been in line with all other countries in imposing safety regulations. On the figures, the death rate per hundred million vehicle miles for people in cars in the United States is 4 as compared with 2.8 here. On this basis we can claim that in certain spheres we have higher safety standards. But I am anxious to examine, as is my right hon. Friend, any sensible suggestion for improving safety in cars, and as soon as it is approved we should be only too anxious to implement it.

Mr. J. H. Osborn

Is there not an urgent need to improve the safety of vehicles and to obtain much better agreement internationally, especially within Europe, as to what those standards should be?

Mr. Walker

We are already discussing this question in Europe. I am this year introducing new regulations bringing in a number of new safety features for British cars. I am very anxious to examine any possible method of improving safety in cars. There is no dragging of feet.