§ Ms WalleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will discuss with the Secretary of State for the Environment dispensation in respect of capping limits on expenditure to end the practice of seating three children to two seats in school transport. [33716]
§ Mr. NorrisThe costs of ending the practice of seating three children to two seats in school transport were taken into account in deciding the education standard spending assessments. Increases in those assessments were taken into account in the capping guidelines for 1996–97. All local authority budgets for 1996–97 are now set.
§ Ms WalleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate he has made of the costs to local education authorities and schools of ending the practice of seating three children to two seats in school transport. [33717]
§ Mr. NorrisThe costs associated with changes to the construction and use regulations to require seat belts in coaches and minibuses specifically used for the transport of children were given in the compliance cost assessment which accompanied the amended regulations in February. The costs associated with the consequential amendments to the Public Service Vehicle (Carrying Capacity) Regulations to remove the three for two concession where seat belts are fitted were included in the assessment.
My Department has not considered the costs of further changes to remove the three for two concession completely, as there is no safety justification for doing so, and this is therefore a matter for local authorities to consider in relation to their specific school transport provisions.