§ 26. Mr. Montgomeryasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what has been the result of Government encoragement of the voluntary use of seat belts.
§ The Under-Secretary of State for the Environment (Mr. Eldon Griffiths)After the recent publicity campaign in the north-east the proportion of front seat car occupants wearing seat belts was about 28 per cent.—double the level before the campaign.
§ Mr. MontgomeryWill my hon. Friend give an assurance that the Government are not intent on bringing in legislation to make this compulsory? Could we 1331 be assured that they will continue their campaign to get the voluntary wearing of seat belts, in order to reduce the number of deaths in car crashes?
§ Mr. GriffithsI am sure that my right hon. Friend would always prefer to persuade rather than compel.
§ Mr. StraussIn view of the great loss of life avoided by the wearing of seat belts, will the hon. Gentleman suggest to all Members of the House of Commons that they should set a good example by wearing seat belts whenever they take their cars on the road?
§ Mr. GriffithsYes, Sir.