§ Dr. WrightTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what assessment she has made of the adequacy of the guidance issued by local education authorities on minibus safety with particular reference to the meeting of agreed safety standard. [11099]
§ Mr. Robin SquireSchools and local education authorities which own minibuses must comply with vehicle safety standards, as determined by the Secretary of State for Transport generally in the Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986. LEAs are responsible for any advice they may give in relation to construction standards and other safety issues, and are not required to submit it for assessment by the Secretary of State.
473WNew regulations will be introduced by the Department of Transport next month to require the compulsory fitment of seatbelts on minibuses and coaches used specifically for transporting school children.