HC Deb 27 October 1952 vol 505 cc155-6W
14. Mr. H. Fraser

asked the Minister of Transport whether his Department will actively consider the design and production of a cheap but adequate crash helmet for motor-cyclists, bearing in mind the appreciable number of accidents involving motor-cyclists in which the injury is a fractured skull, with a view to making the subsequent use of these crash helmets compulsory.

Mr. Braithwaite

The design of a crash helmet suitable for everyday wear by civilian motor cyclists is already being actively investigated by the Road Research Laboratory. My right hon. Friend is not satisfied that the use of such helmets should be made compulsory.

Mr. John MacLeod

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will introduce legislation to make the wearing of crash helmets by motor-cyclists compulsory.

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

While anxious to encourage the use of suitable crash helmets, I share the doubts expressed by the Committee on Road Safety as to whether compulsion in this matter is desirable. In any case, as the Committee have pointed out crash-helmets of suitable design for civilian use at a reasonable price are not yet available. I hope they will soon be forthcoming.