§ Dr. Owenasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the latest estimate of the annual amount of money that universal wearing of seatbelts would save by reducing road deaths and serious accidents.
§ Mrs. ChalkerI have been asked to reply.
If the reduction achieved in the first eight months since 31 January 1983 in fatal and serious casualties among drivers and front seat passengers of cars and light vans is entirely attributed to compulsory seat belt wearing, and a similar reduction is maintained for 12 months, the annual value of the saving in accident costs—which comprise resource costs and an allowance for pain, grief and suffering-would be of the order of £120 million.