§ 2.35 p.m.
§ LORD TEVIOTMy Lords, I beg to ask the first Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government how much the cancellation of the purchase tax on crash helmets for motorcyclists would cost the Exchequer, if their wearing were made compulsory.]
§ THE EARL OF SELKIRKMy Lords, I am afraid that this information is not available. I am sure the noble Lord will agree that it is not desirable to insist on the making by traders of detailed returns of sales, other than those which are essential. It is for this reason that they are not required to make separate returns of tax paid in respect of the various classes of goods in which they may deal. Therefore, I regret that I cannot give the information for which the noble Lord asks.
§ EARL HOWEMy Lords, may I ask the noble Earl whether Her Majesty's Government are really in favour of the use of crash helmets for motor-cyclists? May I also ask whether the Coble Lord is aware that it was found possible by Her Majesty's Government to do away with purchase tax in the case of miners' protective helmets, which are very much of the same sort of article? Could a little more attention be given to this matter?
§ THE EARL OF SELKIRKMy Lords, if I may say so, the noble Earl's question, strictly, does not arise from the answer I have given. Her Majesty's Government are in favour of the use of crash helmets, but they do not think it should be made compulsory; and Her Majesty's Government do not think that purchase tax is the decisive Factor in a 890 man deciding whether he should or should not purchase a crash helmet. In reply to the noble Earl's second point, it is true that purchase tax on miners' helmets has been remitted, but experience has shown that exceptions of this sort lead to unjustifiable discrimination and successive Governments have decided not to extend them. As the noble Earl will appreciate, there is a great variety of protective clothing of one kind or another, and it is not easy to discriminate in one case and not in another.
§ LORD TEVIOTMy Lords, while thanking my noble friend for his reply, I hope he will put before Her Majesty's Government the point of view that this is a question of life and death. I hope he will ask the Minister concerned to do something to encourage the wearing of crash helmets, in view of the tremendous loss of the lives of our best people.
§ THE EARL OF SELKIRKMy Lords, I can assure the noble Lord that my right honourable friend will consider very carefully what he has said.
§ EARL HOWEMy Lords, may I ask the noble Earl whether he is aware that accidents to motor cyclists are costing this country £15 millions a year and of these over 50 per cent. are due to head injuries. Could not Her Majesty's Government give the matter further consideration?
§ THE EARL OF SELKIRKMy Lords, the point the noble Earl raises is somewhat wide of the question but I am sure it will be considered.