§ Lord Bruce-Gardyneasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they intend to withdraw legislation requiring compulsory wearing of seat belts in the rear seats of cars until adequate supplies of such belts become available; or whether they will compensate the automobile industry out of public funds for the stockpiling of vehicles which have to be withdrawn from sale because they cannot comply with the law.
§ Viscount DavidsonThe obligation to wear rear seat belts applies only to children under 14 and only where the belts have been fitted. Since 1987 all new cars have had to be fitted with a minimum combination of rear seat belts as well as front ones. The anchorages for such fitment have been required in new cars since 1982. Despite recent press reports to the contrary, I understand that there is no problem about the supply of seat belts to car manufacturers.
There is no UK requirement for rear seat belts to be fitted in older cars which do not have them. The current EC seat belt proposals would not change this situation. We strongly advise rear seat passengers of all ages to wear seat belts where they are fitted.