§ Mrs. DunwoodyTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what proposals he has to extend the MOT test to include checks on the operation of seatbelts. [4451]
§ Ms Glenda JacksonMandatory seatbelts are already checked in MOT tests to ensure that they latch and unlatch correctly. The condition of the webbing, anchorage and retractor mechanism is also checked for deterioration. However, there is no check on the restraining operation of seat belts. It would be very difficult to devise a meaningful and reproducible test which could be carried out in 18,000 MOT testing stations across the country and we are aware of no evidence that seat belts fail to operate properly in practice.