§ Mr. PawseyTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport which other countries of the European Community fit seat belts to all seats in coaches and minibuses.
§ Mr. ChopeNone. EC legislation does not require seat belts or anchorages to be fitted other than on front seats or exposed seats.
The Government have been seeking to have the EC directives on seat belts and anchorages amended so that fitment to all seats in minibuses and coaches can be required.
§ Mr. PawseyTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the impact of the fitting of seat belts to all seats in coaches and minibuses on the incidence of death and injury in coaches in the event of an accident.
§ Mr. ChopeThe number of injuries to seated bus and coach passengers in Great Britain in 1990 was 4,670, of which 289 were serious and nine fatal. The average annual total of injuries in the years 1986–1990 was 4,202.
It is believed that the fitting of seat belts could significantly reduce the minority of injuries which are due to passenger ejection or vehicle rollover. The benefit of seat belts in the case of frontal impact accidents is less clear, since the nature of the seat or surface in front of the occupant has to be taken into account. Research into this problem is continuing.
§ Mr. PawseyTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what representations he has received about the provision of seat belts in coaches and minibuses.
§ Mr. ChopeWe have received a great many letters from individuals, schools and other organisations on this question, the vast majority of whom are in favour of the provision of seat belts in these vehicles.
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§ Mr. PawseyTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what discussions have taken place between his Department and coach manufacturers and operators about the fitting of seat belts.
§ Mr. ChopeThe Department meets representatives of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders and the Bus and Coach Council on a regular basis. Whenever the question of seat belts is raised, we emphasise the importance of making seat belts in coaches more readily available to the travelling public. Seat belts can already be fitted in most large coaches.
§ Mr. PawseyTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is the likely additional cost of fitting seat belts to all seats in coaches and minibuses.
§ Mr. ChopeThe estimated cost of fitting lap belts to every seat in a new coach is about £1,000, approximately £20 per seat.
Comparable figures for minibuses are not available but would probably be higher because of the additional floor strengthening work necessary to secure the seat belt anchorages.