§ Mr. Freudasked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will undertake to monitor the applications for 197W exemption from seat belt legislation; and if he will publish monthly figures in respect of (a) those who applied, (b) those who received exemption and (c) the grounds on which exemption was given or refused.
§ Mrs. Chalker:We do not have the powers or resources for such a monitoring system. However we have asked doctors when they issue a certificate to send us a reply paid postcard notifying us that a certificate has been issued for an adult or for a child under 14 and the period of its duration. We shall, from time to time, publish figures based on these returns.
§ Mr. Freudasked the Secretary of State for Transport whether he proposes to meet the British Medical Association to discuss its recommendations to members to charge £19 for medical examinations in respect of citizens seeking exemption from seat belt legislation; which applicants for such exemption will be entitled to free examination; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mrs. Chalker:I met the British Medical Association many months ago to discuss these matters. It is firmly of the view that its members should carry out full medical examinations of applicants for medical exemption from compulsory seat belt wearing. As such examinations are outside the National Health Service, it advised that its members should charge £19 in line with charges for other comparable medical examinations. But the individual doctors can, of course, decide to charge less and we hope that they will consider applications from those on low incomes or the disabled without charge, or at least a nominal charge, particularly if they know the applicant's medical condition well. Information on those entitled to free examinations at DHSS medical boarding centres is set out in our publicity leaflet, "Seat Belts, the Law and You", published in September. I am arranging to have it placed in the Library, along with copies of the associated leaflet "Child Safety in Cars".