§ Mr. John SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what regulations governing the safe transportation of children to and from school on public transport; and if he will make a statement. [86162]
§ Mr. JamiesonI would like first of all to express my deepest sympathy to all those bereaved and injured by the tragic accident involving children travelling on a bus in my hon. Friends constituency on 3 December.
There are a number of different regulations governing the standards for buses and coaches which will effect those used for school transport.
(1) The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986, as amended. This sets out the legal technical parameters for masses, dimensions, suspension, steering, turning circle requirements and seat belt requirements for the vehicles.
(2) The Public Service Vehicles (Conditions of Fitness, Equipment, Use and Certification) Regulations 1981, as amended. These set out the standards for the likes of seat sizes, gangway sizes, handholds, exits, luggage spaces, step heights etc.
213W(3) The Public Service Vehicles (Carrying Capacity) Regulations 1984, as amended. These set the standards for the numbers of passengers that can be carried on bus, the way they are to be marked to show this and where passengers can and cannot stand.
(4) The Road Vehicles Lighting Regulations 1989, as amended. Which as well as setting out the requirements for the vehicles external lighting also requires markings to be displayed on the vehicles that are used for carrying children.
(5) The Public Service Vehicles (Conduct of Drivers, Inspectors, Conductors and Passengers) Regulations 1990, as amended. This sets out the requirements for the behaviour of Staff and passengers using buses and coaches.
My Department keeps the regulations referred to above under constant review.