SEATBELTS ON MINIBUSES AND COACHES (Hansard, 19 July 1994)

§ Lord Mackay of Ardbrecknish

The Government have now completed their analysis of the case for compulsory fitment of seatbelts on minibuses and coaches and are today publishing the report of their review. A copy is being placed in the Library of the House.

This demonstrates the strength of the case for compulsory fitment as a standard for all European manufactures.

We are formally requesting the European Commission to set the shortest possible timetable to require seatbelts on all new minibuses and coaches. This reinforces our call for action at the Transport Council in Luxembourg in June.

We have also decided to seek the Commission's agreement for the UK Government to act ahead of the European Union to ensure that all minibuses and coaches are fitted with belts when specifically used for the transport of children. We will consult widely on how best to implement such a provision in practice, once we have the Commission's agreement.

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We shall also be amending the Public Service Vehicle Carrying Capacity Regulations to ensure that, where belts are fitted, three children can no longer share a double seat.

Meanwhile we will be encouraging manufacturers and operators to fit belts in response to customer demand. Virtually all new minibuses now coming off the production lines have seatbelts fitted.

For existing vehicles, the Department of Transport has set standards on the retro-fitting of belts and has urged operators to take action wherever possible, and this they are now doing. There has been support from the insurance industry for the department's action.