§ Mr. CranTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether any estimate has been made as to the number of lives that may have been saved over the last five years had passengers in motor coaches been required to wear seat belts; and if he has any plans to require coach manufacturers to fit seat belts in their vehicles.
§ Mr. Peter BottomleyThe Department has not made such an estimate. The available information on coach accidents could not support more than a broad indication of the numbers and types of casualty that might have been avoided by wearing seat bells.
From 1 October 1988 seat belts must be fitted in new coaches to seats most at risk, such as the front seats. The Department is investigating the possibility of extending this requirement to existing modern coaches.