asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many other major industrialised countries ban the use of non-metallic fuel tanks for motor cycles ; and whether he will list them in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

I am not aware of any, but the information at my disposal is not comprehensive.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he proposes to lift the ban on the use of non-metallic fuel tanks for motor cycles.

As soon as an acceptable performance standard is available.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) how many motor cyclists have been killed and how many injured through the explosion of plastic fuel tanks in each of the last five years ;(2) how many fatal and serious accidents he estimates have been saved by the ban on the use of non-metallic fuel tanks for motor cycles.

This information is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what progress has been made towards finding a suitable British standard for non-metallic fuel tanks for motor cycles.

Discussions are taking place between my Department's vehicle engineers and the industry. A considerable amount of work remains to be done.