§ Mr. WardTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps he is taking to encourage the fitting of airbags to cars sold in the United Kingdom.
§ Mr. Kenneth CarlisleThe single most effective measure for reducing accident injury is the wearing of a seat belt.674W This, in conjunction with a well-designed steering wheel, is much more cost effective than the fitting of airbags. While we are not therefore actively encouraging the fitting of airbags, we are participating in discussions on a European standard and are monitoring experience of the fitment of airbags worldwide.