asked the Secretary of State for Transport what is his estimate of the number of people who have been prevented from exercising their right to obtain free examination for medical exemption from seat belt wearing before the date on which the legal requirement to wear a seat belt comes into effect as a result of the non-availability of the Department of Transport publication "Seat Belts, The Law and You."

I know of no such instances, but would welcome information on any cases which have come to the right hon. Gentleman's attention.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport when the Department of Transport publication "Seat Belts, The Law and You", containing the application form required to obtain free examination for medical exemption from seat belt wearing ceased to be available to the general public.

The publication "Seat Belts, The Law and You" has not ceased to be available to the general public and I am not aware of any problems of availability.This leaflet can be obtained from road safety officers, local DHSS offices, through press coupons from Freepost and from the Department of Transport.When present supplies are exhausted application forms for free examinations will continue to be available.