§ 33. Mr. Bidwellasked the Secretary of State for Transport if he has received representations from the Transport and General Workers' Union on coach safety standards; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mrs. ChalkerRepresentatives of the Transport and General Workers' Union participated in a discussion I held last July about coach safety and speed limits with representatives of both sides of the passenger transport industry. However, I have not received any formal representations from the TGWU on this subject.
§ 36. Mrs. Renée Shortasked the Secretary of State for Transport what proposals he has to introduce and enforce stricter safety standards for coaches and coach drivers.
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§ Mrs. ChalkerWe are pressing for international agreement to new standards which will improve the strength of coach seats and roof structures. Coach drivers are already trained and tested to high standards. I have made clear to the industry that violations of speed limits are unacceptable and we are monitoring driving at present. Following our July meeting with him, the European Commissioner for Transport has already written to all other European Ministers of Transport expressing the need for stricter compliance of standards by operators and drivers according to the law of the country of travel.