§ 26. Mr. Loveridgeasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has to introduce legislation to make compulsory the wearing of seat belts in the front seats of cars licensed in Great Britain.
§ 39. Mr. David Stoddartasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will introduce legislation to make the wearing of seat belts compulsory for drivers and front seat passengers of motor cars.
§ Mr. PeytonI hope to make a statement before the Christmas Recess.
§ Mr. LoveridgeI am glad to hear that reply. Is my right hon. Friend aware of the lower death and injury rates in Australia since legislation was introduced there? Will he take similar measures to save life and limb as soon as possible in Britain?
§ Mr. PeytonI certainly take account of experience elsewhere.
§ Mr. StoddartIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that I am pleased to hear that he will be making a statement? I hope that it will be a positive statement and will not be a continuation of the equivocation we have had on the issue up to now. Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that lives are being lost while he is equivocating and people are under the impression that if they wear seat belts on motorways they are safe and they do not bother to wear them in towns, where 75 per cent. of accidents take place? I look forward to a good statement from the right hon. Gentleman.
§ Mr. PeytonThe hon. Gentleman can certainly look forward to a good statement with every confidence. He says that I am equivocating. What the Government are doing is giving new thought and entering into extensive consultations to find out what other people think about a serious matter. The potential saving of life is fully realised.