§ Mr. Alfred Morrisasked the Minister of Transport (1) what consideration his Department has given, or is giving, to making the use of safety belts compulsory in the driving of commercial vehicles;
(2) what consideration his Department has given, or is giving, to making the use of safety belts compulsory in the driving of lorries and other commercial vehicles under one-and-a-half tons.
§ Mr. MarshThe fitting of seat belts is compulsory in commercial vehicles up to one-and-a-half tons registered on or after 1st April, 1967.
Belts are unlikely to be so effective in preventing injuries to drivers of heavier commercial vehicles but I intend to re-examine the case for fitting them when the cabs of these vehicles have been made more resistant to crushing.
A requirement to use seat belts would be difficult to enforce and I have no plans at present for introducing it in relation to any class of vehicle.