HC Deb 24 July 1991 vol 195 c550W
Mr. Butcher

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will seek information from other European Community countries on the regulations governing compulsory wearing of seat belts in the rear of taxis.

Mr. Chope

The draft European Community directive on the compulsory use of seat belts in vehicles of less than 3.5 tonnes, is currently under discussion. There is no exemption proposed in that directive in respect of the wearing of car seat belts by the occupants of taxis whether they are purpose built or non-purpose built. It appears, therefore, that all other European Community Countries are content that such regulations should be incorporated within their own domestic law.