§ Mr. Michael McNair-Wilsonasked the Secretary of State for Transport what progress has been made in introducing a standard height for car bumpers; and whether any proposals for standardisation are being considered by the European Economic Community.
§ Mr. Michael SpicerThere is no generally accepted standard for bumpers on cars sold in Europe, but in practice most car bumpers are around 17 to 18 inches in height from the ground. Bumper height and other characteristics are being considered by the appropriate technical committee of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe in the context of work to make the exterior fittings of vehicles less aggressive to pedestrians.