§ Mr. Frank Fieldasked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will detail what discussions he is having with family organisations on how best to combat road accidents; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Peter BottomleyEarlier this year, I invited Family Forum and affiliated organisations of its choice to a discussion of how this part of the voluntary movement could become more closely involved in road safety activity. Representatives of the Child Accident Prevention Trust, the Children's Society, the National Childbirth Trust and the National Childminding Association also attended. Since then I have had various formal and informal contacts with Family Forum and other voluntary bodies.
Such organisations and their members have an important part to play in helping to reduce the toll of deaths and injuries — and their tragic social and economic consequences — by providing families throughout the life cycle with practical support, information and publicity on road safety issues. The Department and others with statutory road safety responsibilities wish to encourage their efforts and would welcome similar support and recognition of them from the media and other influential parts of the community.