§ 71. Sir Philip Goodhartasked the Secretary of State for Transport what evidence has reached his Department showing whether there has been a reduction in the number of people killed and injured on British roads as a result of the compulsory use of seat belts.
§ Mrs. ChalkerIt is too soon to reach any firm conclusions. However, a number of members of the medical profession have been reported as saying that the early experience is encouraging.
§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for Transport whether he will give, for the longest and most convenient stated period of weeks in the first two months of 1979, 1980, 1981 and 1982, the number of lives lost in road accidents due to the failure to wear seat belts and for the same number of weeks in 1983 the number of lives saved through the compulsory wearing of seat belts.
§ Mrs. ChalkerIt is not possible to judge from individual accident reports whether or not the wearing of a seat belt did help, or would have helped, to avoid loss of life. The relevant casualties, following the introduction of compulsory wearing, will be monitored as set out in answer to the right hon. Member for Down, South (Mr. Powell) on 10 February—[Vol. 36, c.455.]
393WFigures for years up to 1981 are published in "Road Accidents Great Britain", copies of which are in the Library.