§ Mr. EdwardsTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what powers(a) the Vehicle Inspectorate and (b) the Health and Safety Executive have to investigate passenger safety and overcrowding on (i) school contract bus services and (ii) scheduled bus services; and if he will make a statement. [15801]
§ Mr. JamiesonThe Vehicle Inspectorate is empowered under section 68 of the Road Traffic Act 1988, as amended by section 10 of the Road Traffic Act 1991, to inspect all buses in respect of both safety standards and overcrowding.
The Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 places a general duty on employers and the self-employed to conduct their undertaking in such a way as to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, that persons not in their employment are not exposed to risks to their health or safety. This duty would apply to passengers on buses.
However, it is the general policy of the Health and Safety Executive that they will not enforce health and safety at work law where it is overlapped by other legislation which adequately protects public and worker safety by more specific and detailed law enforced by another authority, as is the case here.
§ Mr. EdwardsTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what regulations govern seating, standing and the use of seat belts on(a) school contract bus services and (b) scheduled bus services. [15800]
§ Mr. JamiesonThe regulations that govern seating, standing on all buses are the Public Service Vehicles (Carrying Capacity) Regulations 1984, the Public Service Vehicles (Conditions of Fitness, Equipment, Use and Certification) Regulations 1981, as amended, and the Public Service Vehicles (Conduct of Drivers, Inspectors, Conductors and Passengers) Regulations 1990. There are no regulations governing the use of seat belts in buses.