§ Mr. TylerTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps he is taking to expand the work of the Vehicle Inspectorate to achieve higher standards of bus and coach following the Operation Tourist crackdown; and if he will make a statement. [34083]
§ Mr. NorrisWe are committed to increasing compliance with the safety standards for buses and coaches through an effective enforcement regime. The joint Vehicle Inspectorate and police Operation Tourist crackdown—which involved staff targeting tourist coaches suspected of having safety defects on holiday routes in the south and west on 8 July—demonstrates that commitment.
Regular roadside enforcement checks and checks of vehicles at operators' premises are an essential tool for increasing compliance with safety standards. Special 708W roadside enforcement exercises such as Operation Tourist provide an opportunity to target one specific vehicle type. Moreover, an additional £100,000 has recently been made available to the Vehicle Inspectorate for enforcement work in relation to buses and coaches this financial year.