§ 37. Sir J. Langford-Holtasked the Secretary of State for the Environment when his Department began to investigate the practical problems preventing the standardisation of car bumpers; with whom discussions are now taking place; and when he expects these to be brought to an end.
§ Mr. CarmichaelWork on this problem began in the International Standards Organisation in 1973 and was subsequently taken up by the United Nations Economic Commisison for Europe as well. It can be resolved only by international agreement: the conflicting demands of protection for vehicles, for their occupants and for pedestrians have to be reconciled, and involve questions both of safety and of trade. We shall continue to press for early agreement, but I cannot predict how long it will take.