§ Mr. Colvinasked the Secretary of State for Transport when the Civil Aviation Authority expects to report on its research into the use of smokehoods to protect air passengers from smoke and fumes.
§ Mr. Peter BottomleyThe Civil Aviation Authority is wholly responsible for the regulation of aviation safety. I understand that it expects to issue a decision on the use of smokehoods by the end of the year when it has completed its current research and consultations.
November 1982 June 1983 November 1984 July 1986 1SS 2R SS R SS R SS R percent. percent. percent. percent. Rear seat Baby (under 1 year) 213 30 648 45 423 49 429 55 Small Child (approx 1–4 years) 2,083 40 3,568 27 2,526 34 2,433 42 Medium Child (approx 5–9 years) 1,599 12 1,985 9 1,492 12 1,971 19 Large Child (approx 10–13 years) 405 2 517 3 582 6 732 12 1 SS = Sample size ie Numbers of children observed. 2 R = Proportion restrained. Two other continuing studies by TRRL have highlighted the benefit of the use of child restraints in cars. An early study showed that the use of child restraints reduces the risk of overall injury by two thirds. The second study, which reported in May this year, showed that in the zero to four age group the use of child restraints reduces the risk of death by about three quarters.
Current wearing rates are likely to be higher following national and local publicity including the BBC "That's Life" campaign. The rates are likely to deteriorate unless parents of new born children are constantly reminded of the benefits of installing and using restraints.
§ Mr. Martlewasked the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what information he has as to what proportion of registered cars have rear anchorage points but no rear seat belts;
(2) if he will introduce regulations requiring the retrospective fitment of rear seat belts for cars registered between January 1981 and April 1986.
Rear car seat occupants by severity of injury and seat belt use: Great Britain: 1985 Severity of injury Seat belt in use Seat belt not in use Seat belt not fitted Child restraint in use Child restraint not in use Child restraint not fitted Restraint unknown Total Fatal 7 10 240 4 — 14 58 333 Serious 111 164 3,342 51 23 240 702 4,633 Slight 692 595 14,498 542 183 1,941 2,743 21,194 Total 810 769 18,080 597 206 2,195 3,503 26,160