§ Mr. KeyTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he intends to introduce regulations to improve the safety of children travelling on coaches and minibuses. [14717]
§ Mr. NorrisI have laid regulations before the House today which will require seat belts to be fitted to minibuses and coaches used specifically to transport304W children. I have also laid regulations ending, where seat belts are fitted, the concession that allows three seated children to count as two passengers.
The regulations on seat belt fitting only apply to a vehicle which is undertaking a journey specifically for the purpose of carrying children. The requirements will apply to:
- all minibuses used from 10 February 1997;
- all coaches used from 10 February 1997, if they are registered from 1 October 1988; and
- all coaches used from 10 February 1988, if they are registered before 1 October 1998.
The regulations on the "three for two "Seating concession will take effect from 1 May 1996. They will recognise the incompatibility of the concession with the fitting of seat belts to minibuses and coaches.
I believe that these measures will further improve the good safety record of minibuses and coaches and will go a long way towards reassuring parents who may be concerned for the safety of their children when travelling in these vehicles.
I am pleased that we have been able to introduce these measures independently and ahead of our partners in the European Union.
Meanwhile, I will continue to encourage operators to fit all their vehicles with seat belts voluntarily. We intend to require the mandatory fitting to all new minibuses and coaches as soon as the necessary agreement has been reached in Europe.