§ Ms. WalleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Education (1) if he will extend to all local education authorities the dispensation agreed with Strathclyde council education authority in respect of finance of seat belt installation in school minibuses and buses; and if he will make a statement;
(2) if he will make it his policy to apply to local education authorities in England the same rules on school transport as are applied by Strathclyde regional council; and if he will make a statement;
(3) if he will publish the guidance issued by his Department to local education authorities in respect of the safety of schoolchildren in transit; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. ForthMy right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Transport has national responsibility for vehicle safety matters.
The Department for Education has already published general advice on school transport to all local education authorities in a circular letter on 21 January 1994. A copy is in the Library. It recommended that seat belts should be worn where fitted, and reminded authorities that home-to-school transport which they provide or arrange must carry pupils in reasonable safety and comfort. It also advised authorities to encourage contractors to observe the school transport safety code to the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents, which was issued with the endorsement of the Secretary of State in 1991. Copies were distributed to all education authorities and schools.