§ Mr. PicklesTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to issue guidance to local education authorities on the use of vehicles specifically designed to carry standing passengers for the transportation of school children. [149808]
§ Mr. HillI have no plans to issue guidance to local education authorities about the use of vehicles specifically designed to carry standing passengers for the transportation of school children. All buses have to comply with specified safety standards, which include the requirement to have seat belts fitted in minibuses and coaches when groups of children are carried on organised trips. But buses that fall outside these definitions (mostly those that can also carry standing passengers) are not required by regulations to have seat belts. Ultimately it is for the schools and local education authorities to ensure the vehicles they will be using are appropriate for the type of journeys planned, including if they should be fitted with seat belts, regardless of whether or not the regulations require belts.