§ Sir Trevor SkeetTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport in which European Community states the installation of rear seat belts is mandatory; and from what date this took effect in each case.
§ Mr. AtkinsThe table gives the available information on the mandatory fitment of rear seat belts in cars for each European Community member state.
Member state Rear belt requirement/Date Belgium First registered from January 1987 Denmark First registered from April 1989 France First registered from October 1978 Federal Republic of Germany First registered from May 1987 Greece None Italy First registered from April 1990 Ireland None Luxembourg First registered from 1988 Netherlands First registered from January 1990 Portugal First registered from January 1992 Spain First registered from October 1990 United Kingdom First registered from April 1987
§ Sir Trevor SkeetTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the effect on the number of fatalities and injuries occurring in the United Kingdom if rear seat belts were worn in all vehicles.
§ Mr. AtkinsOur latest estimate is that if all rear seat car passengers wore seat belts, some 200 deaths and 9,000 injuries would be prevented each year.
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§ Sir Trevor SkeetTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is the current position of draft European Community legislation 9228/88; and when the wearing of rear seat belts will become mandatory.
§ Mr. AtkinsMember countries have not yet taken a decision on this Commission proposal. In the United Kingdom it is already mandatory for children to wear available rear restraints where appropriate for their use. In the case of adults we have no plans to introduce mandatory wearing before a sufficient proportion of cars has the equipment fitted as standard.