Mr. Arthur Lewis asked the Secretary of State for Transport whether, in his preparation for exemptions from wearing seat belts he will consider, in addition to milk, bread and other roundsmen, commercial travellers, doctors, midwives, fire and ambulancemen, police, post delivery van drivers and drivers of all commercial vehicles which make multiple deliveries, and those suffering from asthma, heart complaints, claustrophobia and breathing difficulties; and whether he will consider making the exemption certificates free of charge; and to what extent he estimates the introduction of the compulsory use of seat belts will add to public expenditure.

Mr. Kenneth Clarke: My right hon. Friend will announce his proposals on exemptions as soon as possible and will consult fully before laying regulations. He will be consulting the British Medical Association about fees for medical certificates. Compulsory seat belt wearing should not result in any net increase in public expenditure.