§ Ms HoeyTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what plans he has to introduce legislation which would require all passengers in minibuses to wear safety belts;
(2) what measures are being taken to improve the design of minibuses in the interest of greater passenger safety.
§ Mr. KeyWe are making a continuing effort to improve the safety of all road vehicles including minibuses. Seat belts are already required to be fitted to the front seats of all new minibuses. We have sought agreement within the European Community for the mandatory extension of this requirement to all seats in minibuses.
Where seat belts are fitted, they must be worn by passengers travelling in the front seat of any minibus and by a passenger travelling in a rear seat of a smaller minibus with an unladen weight not exceeding 2,540 kg.