§ Mrs. DunwoodyTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what work he intends to undertake on the dangers posed by air bags to children in rear-facing child seats. [2647]
§ Ms Glenda JacksonThe Department is very aware of this danger. The key factor is not research but ensuring that the public understand the hazard.
The wide media coverage of the hazard is especially welcome and I hope that it will continue. A poster by the motor industry, warnings contained in the Department's publication "Choosing Safety" and in the forthcoming editions of "Seat Belts and the Law" and "The Highway Code" should also help.
European legislation now requires manufacturers to fit a warning label to cars to alert motorists to the hazard. This is a minimum requirement, and I welcome any effort the car industry can make to improve the clarity of this warning.
We will continue to monitor the situation and press for whatever further action is appropriate.