§ Ms WalleyTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement about those local authorities which require school transport to meet R66 standard. [138843]
§ Mr. HillI am not aware of any local authority requiring school buses to meet the UN ECE Regulation 66 standard, which applies to the strength of superstructure of coaches. This standard is required for single—deck coaches first used in the UK on or after 1 April 1993. However, local authorities can specify the age and type of vehicle used for school transport and could require ECE Regulation 66 compliance by specifying coaches first used after April 1993 in their contracts.