HL Deb 07 December 2001 vol 629 cc163-4WA
Viscount Simon

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What responses they have had to their consultation document on pedestrian protection and from which organisations; what proportion of the responses favoured each of the solutions; and what were the criteria they used to make their choice. [HLI791]

Lord Falconer of Thoroton

There were a total of 42 formal responses to the consultation exercise. A list of those who responded, together with a summary of the responses, has been placed in the Library. The full responses can be viewed, by prior appointment, at the DTLR Library, Ashdown House, 123 Victoria Street, London SW1E 6DE (telephone 020 7944 6107).

The consultation paper sought views on issues arising from the European Commission's proposal to make a negotiated agreement on pedestrian protection with car manufacturers. Other solutions were not examined. Of the consultees who commented on the principle of the negotiated agreement, some 52 per cent were generally in favour, while 34 per cent were not.

We have decided to support the negotiated approach because we believe it offers the quickest route to introducing worthwhile pedestrian protection into car design.