§ Mr. AdleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the progress of the requirement to install speed governors in coaches.
§ Mr. Peter BottomleyI made regulations on 15 February which will be laid before the House shortly. These require new coaches to be fitted with a speed limiter from 1 April 1989, coaches first used on or after 1 April 1984, from 1 April 1990, and coaches first used on or after 1 April 1974, from 1 April 1991. Older coaches or those which have a maximum design speed no higher than 70 mph will not be affected by the regulations.
The limiters must comply with British Standard AU 217 and be set to a maximum speed of 70 mph. The regulations will be amended as necessary to refer to minor changes to this standard now under consideration.