§ Dr. WrightTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made as to the effectiveness of rear seat belts of the half-belt type.
§ Mr. Kenneth CarlisleStatistics on the effectiveness of rear lap belts in the United Kingdom are not available, but research in the United States indicates that lap belts reduce death and serious injury by 25 to 40 per cent. and three-point belts by 40 to 55 per cent. Although there is no current research specifically into lap belts, the Department is monitoring the effectiveness of all seat belts in its accident crash investigations.
§ Dr. WrightTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to ensure that rear seat belts in cars are all of the full-belt type.
§ Mr. Kenneth CarlisleI expect agreement to be reached shortly in the European Community permitting member states to require the compulsory fitment of three point belts for the rear outer seats of new cars from 1 January 1995 and obliging them to do so from 1 January 1996. There are at present no plans to extend this requirement to three point belts for the centre rear seat as fitting such belts can be technically complex. I believe the quickest and most effective way forward is for manufacturers voluntarily to introduce three-point belts for centre rear seats wherever technically possible. I will continue to encourage this.