asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what investigation he has carried out into electronic devices which will automatically apply the brakes of a succession of vehicles if the one in front pulls up quickly.

Preliminary studies at the Road Research Laboratory indicate that the automatic application of brakes by electronic devices is technically feasible. Investigations are continuing but it is too early to say whether the introduction of such a system, taking into account the possible cost, could make a worthwhile contribution to road safety.