§ Mr. FearnTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what is his Department's current policy on the use of airbags as an additional safety measure for motorcycles;
(2) what research his Department has undertaken on the accidental inflation of airbags on motorcycles.
§ Mr. Chope[holding answer 24 January 1992]The Government are currently funding a research programme at the Transport and Road Research Laboratory in which motor-cycles are tested with and without airbags. The research is in its early stages, and it is not yet clear whether airbags will prove a practical safety measure.
§ Mr. FearnTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what research his Department has undertaken on the potential health hazards from gas contained in airbags used as safety devices on motor vehicles.
§ Mr. Chope[holding answer 24 January 1992]A study is looking at the use of airbags in motor vehicles, including any potential health hazards from the gas discharged from airbags.