Rear Seat Belts

HC Deb 22 July 1988 vol 137 cc873-4W

Mr. Amess

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects the Motor Vehicles (Wearing of Rear Seat Belts by Children) Act 1988 will be brought into operation; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Peter Bottomley

The Act requires that the regulations which will give effect to the legislation have first to be approved by Parliament. We are drafting them. We shall consult widely in doing so.

No responsible parent would wait for the law before fitting and using child restraints. Advice, and a copy of the Department's leaflet "Protect your child in the Car", which we have recently revised, can be obtained by ringing our road safety hotline (Freephone 0800 234888). The Department will continue to press home to parents the message that the use of restraints saves children's lives.