§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for Transport (1) to what extent his investigations into the loss of life and injuries caused through failure to wear seat belts by drivers and front seat passengers of vehicles included similar investigations into the drivers and passengers of public service vehicles; and with what results;
(2) whether he will seek to amend the law to make it compulsory for drivers of public service coaches and buses and the front seat passengers of these to wear seat belts.
§ Mrs. ChalkerThe latest public service vehicle accident figures available are for 1981. These show that four drivers were killed and 75 were seriously injured. In the same period 16 passengers were killed and 866 seriously injured. We do not know how many of the passengers were occupying the front seats, nor how these figures would have been affected if seat belts had been available and had been worn.
Before seat belts for buses and coaches could be considered further, a number of practical problems would have to be resolved. Public service vehicles have a good safety record and the number of incidents involving death or serious injury are small compared with the volume of journeys undertaken.