HC Deb 29 April 1981 vol 3 cc769-70
2. Mr. van Straubenzee

asked the Secretary of State for Transport whether he intends to review the possibility of making compulsory by law the wearing of seat belts by occupants of the passenger seat of private motor cars.

The Secretary of State for Transport (Mr. Norman Fowler)

I have no plans to extend the compulsory wearing of seat belts beyond the proposals relating to children contained in the Transport Bill.

Mr. van Straubenzee

I make an almost invariable voluntary practice of wearing a seat belt, but does my right hon. Friend appreciate that he has behind him a considerable number of hon. Friends who wish him well personally but who are implacably opposed to the further extension of compulsion in this area and will seek to oppose it in any way they can?

Mr. Fowler

I understand that feeling. It has always been the case, and as far as the Government are concerned it always will be, that compulsion is a matter for a free vote in the House. My advice, as Secretary of State for Transport, is that people should wear seat belts. They save lives and injuries, but my personal view on compulsion is the same as that of my hon. Friend.

Mr. Campbell-Savours

In the light of the article in The Sunday Times at the weekend, which drew attention to the dangers facing young children, following tests with seat belts, may we expect a further statement from the Secretary of State?

Mr. Fowler

I saw the article in The Sunday Times and we have told the paper that we will examine the evidence that it set out. There are a number of issues that The Sunday Times has not considered, particularly the findings of the Child Accident Prevention Committee, but we all want the same thing—safety for children. I will examine the results of the investigations of The Sunday Times and I will let the House know the result of that inquiry.

Mr. Higgins

If the House showed on a free vote that it favoured legislation on the compulsory wearing of seat belts, would my right hon. Friend be prepared to introduce it?

Mr. Fowler

Yes, of course. I have always made it clear that we will abide by the will of Parliament. That remains the position. The issue that I wanted to emphasise is that there is a division across parties and hon. Members hold different views on the issue. It is sensible to arrange matters so that the issue is decided by a free vote.

Mr. Prescott

We all agree that this is a matter for a free vote and that the House has expressed its support for seat belts on a free vote. Bearing in mind what The Sunday Times said about an amendment, which the Secretary of State supported, for seat belts for children in front seats, will the right hon. Gentleman consider, after looking at the evidence, changing the Bill in another place so that it meets those circumstances and allowing a free vote when the Bill returns to this House?

Mr. Fowler

If the hon. Gentleman is talking about children and seat belts, the Government will be proposing a new clause on that issue in another place. We have made that clear and the amendment passed in this House is not the last word on that matter. As I said in my original answer, we have no plans to introduce a new clause or amendment to require the compulsory wearing of seat belts generally.