§ 12. Mr. Jannerasked the Secretary of State for Transport whether he will set up an inquiry into the provision and funding of further road safety measures for schoolchildren.
§ Mr. Peter BottomleyThe Department is funding a detailed survey on the provision of road safety education in the United Kingdom. The subject has been considered in the interdepartmental review of road safety. We shall consider with the Department of Education and Science further appropriate action.
§ Mr. JannerIs the Minister aware that the education of children in road safety is not enough and that much more money is needed for road safety measures outside schools? Is he further aware that the absence of such safety measures caused the death of a child in Anstey lane, Leicester recently and that there is a desperate need for money to enable the local authority to provide pedestrian crossings where they are needed and so that safety measures can be implemented effectively?
§ Mr. BottomleyYes, Sir. First, our guidelines must be right so that local authorities can put in safety measures. Secondly, it is important to have safe routes to school analysed and to have changes made. Obviously, education matters, but most important, especially for young children, is that parents and those around them chaperone them when they are below the age of seven and make sure that they are properly trained before they go out on the roads alone.