HC Deb 20 June 1979 vol 968 cc1299-301
6. Mr. George Robertson

asked the Minister of Transport if he will make an early statement regarding his intentions on the compulsory use of seat belts in cars.

11. Mr. Greville Janner

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will introduce legislation to make the wearing of car seat belts compulsory.

Mr. Fowler

As I have already announced, I have no plans to make the wearing of seat belts compulsory. However, it remains my view that wearing seat belts saves lives and reduces injuries. My strong advice to both drivers and passengers is to wear them.

Mr. Robertson

In the light of that shocking statement, what does the Minister intend to tell the relatives and dependants of the thousands of people who will be killed or maimed on the roads because seat belts are not obligatory? What will he tell all the motoring, safety and medical organisations, which are virtually unanimous in their view that such legislation is desirable and necessary?

Mr. Fowler

I am as anxious as anybody to save lives and prevent serious injuries on the roads. However, I do not believe that we should create a new criminal offence. I hope that we shall start a new campaign of persuasion as soon as possible. Details of it will become known very soon.

Mr. Janner

Is it not right that in every country in which the non-wearing of seat belts has been made a criminal offence there has been an immediate and massive saving of life? In those circumstances, if the Minister is so misguided as himself not to reintroduce legislation on this matter, may the House at least be assured that if a Private Member should see fit to introduce such legislation, which seems likely, the Minister will at least not obstruct its progress?

Mr. Fowler

I remind the hon. and learned Gentleman that the Labour Government had five years in which to introduce this legislation, and did not do so. On the subject of a Private Member's Bill, I shall respect the wishes of the House. Votes on this matter were taken in the last Parliament, and if there is a vote this Session, which there may be, I shall clearly take note of it, whichever way that vote may go.

Mr. Parris

Does the Minister acknowledge that self-mutilation has never been illegal in this country and that suicide ceased to be illegal 15 years ago? It would be an oddity for it to be illegal to risk doing by mistake what it is legal to do on purpose.

Mr. Fowler

My hon. Friend is making an important point about persuasion. Those who are in favour of wearing seat belts—as I believe the whole House is—should take into account the insurance position. Any driver or front-seat passenger who neglects to wear his seat belt is likely to find that if he is seriously injured in an accident any claim for compensation could be cut substantially on the ground of his contributory negligence. That is the policy of insurance companies, and it is right to make that clear.

Mr. Carmichael

Will the Minister give an assurance on the question of a Private Member's Bill on the matter? One is almost certain to be introduced. Will he state clearly that there will be a free vote on his side of the House and that he will not use the excuse that a big Government advertising campaign is about to be launched to try to increase the voluntary wearing of seat belts? The success of all previous campaigns has been short-lived and any rise in the percentage of wearers has dropped back quickly to 30 per cent.

Mr. Fowler

I give the hon. Gentleman an assurance on the last point. I also assure him that we shall have a free vote on the issue. I do not believe that the division is on party lines, nor do I believe that it should be.

Mr. Ronald Bell

Will my right hon. Friend confirm that it is Government policy to interfere less in private life as well as in business life? Will he guard constantly against the danger of bad legislation introduced because of the persistence of various sets of dedicated cranks?

Mr. Fowler

As always, I shall take careful heed of my hon. and learned Friend's valid remarks.