HC Deb 03 February 1986 vol 91 c10
7. Mr. Knowles

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what has been the response of the bus and coach industry to his proposal that all coaches should be fitted with speed governors.

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport (Mr. Peter Bottomley)

The Bus and Coach Council has supported speed governors as a means of ensuring that coaches observe the motorway speed limit. The council is involved in the work now under way to establish a technical specification for speed governors.

Mr. Knowles

Is my hon. Friend aware that this measure will be a great relief to all who use the motorways, especially the MI? Will he underline his statement that the bus and coach operators will be involved closely in establishing a technical specification for speed governors?

Mr. Bottomley

Yes, Sir. I think that the introduction of speed governors will be welcome not only to other users of the motorways but to passengers on the buses and coaches and, I suspect, to drivers.

Sir Dudley Smith

Is my hon. Friend aware that buses and coaches travelling at more than 70 miles an hour are the new biggest menace on the motorways? Does he agree that anything that can be done to curb them will be very much welcomed?

Mr. Bottomley

I think that my hon. Friend speaks for many hon. Members. Public concern during the past two years has led to the proposal to introduce speed governors.