HC Deb 14 November 1989 vol 160 cc111-2W
Miss Emma Nicholson

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will take steps to make school buses more recognisable by other vehicles.

Mr. Atkins

I attach great importance to improving child safety, including on school buses. Having considered carefully representations from my hon. Friend and others, I have decided that there is a case for requiring buses carrying school children to be marked with a distinctive sign. I shall shortly circulate proposals for consultation in the usual way. This need not stop local authorities making their own plans for improving safety on school buses in advance of new regulations. I understand that Devon county council is planning to introduce new signs on its buses on an experimental basis from next January.

Mr. Madden

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what regulations exist relating to seating capacity on designated school buses; and if he has any plans to introduce regulations requiring school buses to be fitted with seat belts.

Mr. Atkins

[holding answer 13 November 1989]: The Public Service Vehicles (Carrying Capacity) Regulations 1984 (SI 1984/1406) allow three seated children under the age of 14 to be counted as two passengers.

We already require seat belts on the front seats on new coaches and minibuses. As I told my hon. Friend the Member for Mid-Staffordshire (Mr. Heddle) on 27 July our aim is to get this provision extended to all the seats in coaches and minibuses. Meanwhile, we are encouraging local education authorities to specify that wherever possible vehicles used to transport children are fitted with belts and to see that they are worn.

Mr. Madden

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what regulations exist relating to the safety of children who are fare-paying passengers on designated school buses; what regulations exist relating to the supervision of such children; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Atkins

[holding answer 13 November 1989]: All vehicles used to carry fare-paying passengers including school buses must comply with the Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986 (SI 1986/1078) as amended, and the Public Service Vehicles (Conditions of Fitness, Equipment and Use) Regulations 1981 (SI 1981/257) as amended.

Although there are no regulations relating to the supervision of children on journeys to or from school, we strongly urge local education authorities, schools and parents to ensure that adequate arrangements exist.

Mr. Madden

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what representations he has received about the safety of children riding on designated school buses.

Mr. Atkins

[holding answer 13 November 1989]: A number of parents, school governors, teachers and children have written both direct and through hon. Members, concerning the provision of seat belts and the use of distinguishing signs on vehicles used for carrying children.