HC Deb 30 July 1982 vol 28 cc753-4W
Mr. Iain Mills

asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will meet the British Horse Society to discues measures to improve road safety for riders and motorists.

Mrs. Chalker

I have already told the British Horse Society that I shall welcome a meeting if it would find this helpful.

Mr. Mills

asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will give greater prominence in the Highway Code to means of minimising the dangers arising from horses being ridden on the public road.

Mrs. Chalker

The Highway Code already gives guidance on this subject to both horse riders themselves and to drivers. I am not aware of any particular omissions, but I will gladly consider any suggestions for amplifying the advice when the opportunity for revising the code next occurs.

Mr. Greenway

asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will include in his Department's manual of driving a section on the dangers to traffic posed by the unpredictable nature of horses and means of reducing such dangers.

Mrs. Chalker

I am anxious that all reasonable steps should be taken to improve the safety of horses and their riders. I believe that the main emphasis must be on the effective education of both riders and drivers. Measures to this end have already been taken by the Department and by other bodies such as the British Horse Society and the AA. I have invited the British Horse Society to a meeting on the issue and this may help identify any further action that might be helpful.

Mr. Greenway

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what is his policy towards further measures to improve the safety of horses and riders on public highways; and if he will make a statement.

Mrs. Chalker

This matter is well covered on page 157 of the driving manual.