§ Mrs. Ray MichieTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 2 May 2000,Official Report, columns 3–4W, on seat belts, what plans he has to publish the results of the public consultation exercise, being conducted by his Department, on draft regulations to require seat belts to be fitted to minibuses, coaches and buses which do not carry standing passengers. [132393]
§ Mr. HillCopies of the responses to the consultation exercise have been placed in the library of the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions where they can be viewed by appointment. A list of respondents has also been placed in the House Library. We plan to 591W write to all the respondents when the regulations are published, explaining changes made following the consultation.
§ Mrs. Ray MichieTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what recent representations he has received about the provision of seat belts in buses carrying more than 16 passengers seats but incapable of exceeding 60 mph when they are used for school trips. [132392]
§ Mr. HillWe have received 13 letters since the beginning of the year expressing concern about children being carried on buses without seat belts.
§ Mrs. Ray MichieTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what grants are available in the UK to enable coach operators to fit seat belts in minibuses, coaches and buses used in transporting children to and from school; and if he will make a statement. [132394]
§ Mr. HillWe are not aware of any grants available specifically for this purpose. The majority of existing minibuses and coaches will already be equipped with seat belts, and we estimate that over 95 per cent. of new minibuses and coaches are now fitted with seat belts at the time of manufacture.