§ Ms WalleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps he has taken to ensure that where seat belts are fitted to coaches and minibuses for use by school children(a) tested equipment is fitted, (b) equipment is fitted safely, (c) the three-to-two rule is not used, (d) counterfeit equipment is not allowed and (e) seat belts are worn. [32572]
§ Mr. NorrisThe safety of equipment and its fitting must ultimately remain the responsibility of the installer. We intend to issue guide lines in support of the legislation and are exploring options for checking installations at the annual test. We are also considering other safeguards but they can be of only a limited nature.
Additional steps beyond the legal measures already in place are not currently considered necessary for three to two, counterfeit equipment and the wearing of seat belts.
§ Ms WalleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps he is taking to ensure that each child on a school bus has a seat; and if he will make a statement on standing on buses and on blocking of gangways and emergency exits by baggage. [32573]
§ Mr. NorrisThe responsibility for providing suitable home to school transport for children rests with the local education authority. Both the operators and the LEA must be satisfied that the transport provided enables children to travel in safety.
The carriage of standing passengers on buses is controlled by the Public Service Vehicles (Carrying Capacity) Regulations 1984. Both seating and standing capacities must be marked clearly on the vehicle. Vehicles intended to carry more than eight standing passengers must meet minimum requirements for both standing space and headroom. Sufficient hand grips must be fitted for each standing passenger. Gangways and emergency exits must not be obstructed at any time.
§ Ms WalleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for the Environment in respect of discounting of extra expenditure incurred by local education authorities in respect of implementation of the end of the three-to-two rule on school travel. [32571]
§ Mr. NorrisThe additional costs to local authorities of implementing changes to the three-for-two concession, following the new seat belt regulations, were taken into account along with a range of other pressures when 229W determining the amount for education—education standard spending—in the local government finance settlement, and reflected in the increased funding for local education authorities.