§ 13. Mr. Gwilym Robertsasked the Secretary of State for Transport what progress has been made in formulating regulations for strengthening coach roofs, improving coach braking systems, providing emergency exits and generally in the setting and implementation of coach safety standards.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeOur proposals for stronger coach roofs have been well received internationally and should be finalised later this year. More stringent provisions for emergency exits become mandatory for new coaches from October this year, and changes to braking requirements should be made within the next few months.
§ Mr. RobertsI welcome what the Minister says, but does he recognise that this matter has been under consideration for a long time and many people have been killed or injured in coach accidents in the intervening period? Will he assure the House at least that he will try to speed things up even at this stage?
§ Mr. ClarkeThe hon. Gentleman is very persistent in pressing me on the question, and every time I answer we have gone a little bit further. We have almost got the new emergency exits, and we are about to have the better braking requirements. There is a difficulty in international negotiations, but the United Kingdom has taken the lead in all this. There are advantages for everybody if we can reach international agreement, which I think we are very near to now, on the important matter of roof strength.