§ 15. Mr. Roger Whiteasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps he is taking to reduce casualties among child pedestrians; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. PeytonThe Green Cross Code had made and continues to make a valuable contribution.
§ Mr. WhiteI thank my right hon. Friend for that reply. The number of child casualties in the first quarter of 1972 remained almost unchanged compared with the same period of 1971, which was a particularly high figure. In view of this, will my right hon. Friend consider extending the Green Cross Code?
§ Mr. PeytonYes. A further campaign is planned for this year. Last year £500,000 was spent on publicising the Green Cross Code. This year it is planned to spend £750,000. From May of last year, which was when the Code was introduced, to the end of the year 2,000 fewer children were killed or injured on the roads than in the previous years.
§ Mr. William PriceDoes the Minister's Department do any research into what percentge of child casualties is the result of excessive speed by motorists?
§ Mr. PeytonIt is difficult to do very detailed research. I assure the hon. Gentleman that this desperate matter is taken very seriously.