§ Mr. Leeasked the Minister of Transport if, in view of the recent level of accidents involving motor coaches and taking into particular account the number of accidents where no other vehicles were involved he will set up a public inquiry into coach safety.
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§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeAll coach accidents resulting in injury are investigated by the police, and where deaths occur they are the subject of examination by a coroner's court, the findings of which are made public. If there is any suspicion of a vehicle defect, there is also a thorough investigation by one of the Department's vehicle examiners, and the results of these investigations are made available to coroners. They are also closely monitored by the Department which keeps the relevant regulations under review and, through its vehicle examiners, conducts regular inspections of public service vehicles. Strict penalties can be and are imposed if a coach operator fails to comply with the licensing requirements to maintain vehicles in a safe condition. Despite some recent very regrettable accidents the general trend in coach accidents is downwards. All in all, therefore, I do not consider that a special public inquiry would be justified.