§ Mr. Martenasked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will arrange to have Sikhs' turbans tested by the Road Research Laboratory to see if they are an effective alternative to a crash helmet for motor cyclists.
§ Mr. CarmichaelThe regulations require safety helmets to comply with relevant British Standards. I am satisfied556W that unnecessary deaths and injuries would follow if a lower standard of protection were permitted. I am advised that that a turban could not, because of its materials and construction, comply with the British Standards. I am also told that tests conducted by the BSI showed that a turban could not comply with the penetration and shock requirements of the British Standard.