§ Mr. PicklesTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to introduce guidance on extending the seat belt requirement to all school transportation. [146711]
§ Mr. HillAll coaches and minibuses that carry groups of children on organised trips must have seat belts available. This applies whether or not they are being used for school transport. Guidance on this requirement was issued in 1996, and copies are available from my Department on request as well as being available on the DETR website.
We will also be requiring seat belts to be provided in all new buses, coaches and minibuses, apart from those specifically designed to carry standing passengers. These regulations will be made shortly, and we intend that they will apply to vehicles first used on or after 1 October 2001. We intend to prepare guidance for businesses on complying with this legislation.
No other guidance is planned on this subject.