§ Mr. Miscampbellasked the Secretary of State for Transport if he proposes to exempt drivers of hearses engaged in funeral duties from the compulsory wearing of seat belts when the relevant legislation is implemented.
§ Mrs. ChalkerAs my right hon. Friend made clear in his statement on 8 December, he intends to require seat belts to be worn, in the majority of cases, where they have to be fitted under the construction and use regulations. I understand that hearses usually exceed 1,525 kg unladen weight or have a maximum permitted weight exceeding 3,500 kg and therefore belts are not compulsorily fitted. They will not therefore have to be compulsorily worn.
§ Mr. Sheermanasked the Secretary of State for Transport when he intends to lay the regulations concerning seat belt exemption certificates before the House.
§ Mrs. ChalkerMy right hon. Friend is not prepared to lay the regulations until the outstanding issue of the fires for medical exemption certificates has been settled with the British Medical Association. They have said that they will be recommending to their members a fee of £19.
§ Mr. Muddasked the Secretary of State for Transport, if he is satisfied with public awareness of the introduction of the compulsory wearing of front seat belts; and if he will now make a statement regarding the commencement date and the categories of exclusion.
§ Mrs. Chalker[pursuant to her reply, 27 May 1982]: My right hon. Friend indicated in the statement of proposals he laid before Parliament on 8 December last year that he would take steps to publicise widely the introduction of compulsory seat belt wearing before the new law came into force. However, I am not prepared to lay the regulations, which will set out the proposed categories of exemption and the commencement date, until the outstanding issue of the fees for medical exemption certificates has been settled with the British Medical Association. It has said that it will be recommending to its members a fee of £19 for a medical examination.