HC Deb 24 May 1982 vol 24 cc258-9W
Mr. Heddle

asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he proposes to exempt drivers of motor vehicles registered before 1 January 1963 from the compulsory wearing of belts when the relevant legislation is implemented.

Mrs. Chalker

Yes. I refer my hon. Friend to the statement which my right hon. Friend laid before Parliament on 8 December last year.

Mr. Best

asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement about his discussions with the British Medical Association on the fees for medical certificates of exemption from the compulsory wearing of seat belts.

Mrs. Chalker

We are still discussing this with the British Medical Association as it has said that it will be recommending to its members a fee of £19. Until this matter is settled, I cannot lay the regulations.

Mr. Best

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what representations from bodies representing medical opinion he has received in favour of the early implementation of the provisions for compulsory wearing of seat belts.

Mrs. Chalker

In May 1980 Lord Smith of Marlow, then president of the Royal Society of Medicine, lately president of the Royal College of Surgeons of England and then chairman of the Conference of Medical Royal Colleges—United Kingdom—led a deputation representing all the major medical bodies, including the British Medical Association, to ask for Government support for the principle of compulsory seat belt wearing. When Parliament was considering the question last summer, we received representations from the Casualty Surgeons' Association, the Child Accident Prevention Committee and nine local medical groups including two divisions of the BMA. The Royal College of General Practitioners, the Royal College of Physicians and the BMA have also written in support of the Secretary of State's statement of proposals for the seat belt regulations.