§ Mr. PicklesTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to issue guidance to local education authorities on the age of vehicles used for the transportation of schoolchildren. [149807]
§ Mr. HillI have no plans to issue guidance to local education authorities about the age of vehicles used for the transportation of schoolchildren. All buses and coaches, irrespective of age, are required to meet the same maintenance and operational standards, which are enforced through the operators licensing scheme, annual testing and roadside spot checks.
§ Mr. PicklesTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if the requirement for all coaches and minibuses that carry groups of children on organised trips to have seatbelts available applies to all types of school journeys. [149806]
§ Mr. HillRegulations require that every child must be provided with a seatbelt when a group of three or more children are travelling in a coach or minibus on an organised trip. School journeys where the key element is the transport of children would fall into the category of organised trip. However, seatbelts for children are not required in coaches and minibuses which are providing a transport service for the general public or which are being used to provide a registered local bus service.