§ Mr. EdwardsTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 3 December 2001,Official Report, column 27W, if he will simplify the criteria for determining the number of persons permitted to stand on scheduled buses. [21017]
§ Mr. JamiesonI would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to his question on 6 November 2001,Official Report, column 137W. The recent agreement in the EU for a common standard for the construction of buses will lead to a change in the way the numbers of permitted standing passengers is calculated. I do not intend to introduce changes in advance of the introduction of this directive in the UK as it will cause unnecessary disruption to bus manufacturers and operators.