§ Mr. PikeTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions and if he will extend the compulsory fitting of seat belts to vehicles(a) on normal scheduled services and (b) used mainly for providing transport for the general public which carry schoolchildren. [11321]
§ Ms Glenda JacksonWe have no plans to extend the compulsory fitting of seat belts to vehicles used for these purposes. There are significant technical difficulties in fitting seat belts in buses, which are normally the type of 207W vehicle used to provide these services. In addition, the length and nature of passenger journeys on scheduled services is such that the likelihood of seat belts being used is far less than on faster long-distance journeys. However, it should be remembered that the existing requirements for seat belts to be provided for children on organised trips in minibuses and coaches will ensure that they are available in thousands of vehicles that otherwise would not have had them fitted.
§ Mr. PikeTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what body is responsible for ensuring the seat belts in vehicles carrying schoolchildren have been correctly fitted. [11175]
§ Ms JacksonResponsibility for ensuring that a seat belt assembly has been correctly fitted must ultimately rest with the seat belt installer. It is proposed that the Vehicle Inspectorate will include the condition of all minibus and coach seat belts in the random roadside inspections that it carries out. It is also proposed to include checks on minibus and coach seat belts in the annual MOT test. We hope to consult on details shortly.