HC Deb 02 June 1992 vol 208 cc507-8W
Mr. Peter Bottomley

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when London taxis first had fixing points for rear seat belts; and what estimate he has of the number of London taxis with fixing points but without rear seat belts.

Mr. Norris

From 1 April 1982 new London taxis were required to be fitted with anchorages for rear seat belts. All cabs manufactured since 1 April 1987 must be fitted with seat belts for forward-facing passengers.

Cabs licensed to carry four persons must be fitted with two inertia reel type seat belts and an additional lap type seat belt must be fitted to cabs licensed to carry five persons. Cabs manufactured prior to 1 April 1987 may be fitted with approved type seat belts, but they are not compulsory. Where there is provision for a wheelchair passenger, an approved type seat belt must be fitted.

There is not available data on the number of London taxis with fixing points but without rear seat belts. However I understand that at present 8,250 London taxis are fitted with seat belts.

Mr. Peter Bottomley

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will consult on requiring the fitting of rear belts to London taxis with fixing points; if he will estimate the time and cost of fitting rear belts to a London taxi with fixing points; and what tests are made of the safety standards of such rear belts in respect of the ease with which they can be drawn out.

Mr. Norris

I have no plans to require the fitting of rear seat belts to London taxis built between 1 April 1982 and 1 April 1987 which have fixing points. As for private cars, fitting rear seat belts to these vehicles is voluntary.

The cost, inclusive of VAT, of fitting rear seat belts to those taxis with fixing points is estimated as of the order of £130 asssuming approximately one hour's labour.

Seat belts are tested during the vehicle's annual inspection at the Public Carriage Office. Among the things checked are the security of fixture, condition, ability to extend and return and the locking mechanism. The examiners in addition check to ensure that the belts are not hidden behind the seats. The PCO also carries out spot checks at taxi ranks and so on. "Unfit" notices are issued if the belts are defective.