Buses (Hansard, 18 June 2002)

§ Ms Walley
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) when formal type approval arrangements will be introduced for minibuses; [61811]
(2) what arrangements are planned for mandatory checks of seat belt installations on non-PSV minibuses to ensure they meet legally required standards. [61810]

§ Mr. Spellar
My Department is considering the implementation of a national type approval procedure for all buses, including minibuses, by the end of 2003, as part of a current review of bus and coach construction and use requirements. Checks of seat belt installation would be part of that procedure.

§ Ms Walley
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps he will take to ensure that an(a) anti-lock braking system and (b) tachograph will be a mandatory safety feature for new buses. [61808]

§ Mr. Spellar
All new buses are already required to be fitted with an anti-lock braking system.
The fitting and use of tachographs is subject to a European Union (EU) Regulation from which there is an exemption for buses on routes of less than 50 kilometres.
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A European Commission proposal to alter the scope of this Regulation and the EU drivers' hours rules themselves is currently being considered by member states.