SEAT BELTS ON SCHOOL BUSES

Early day motion 312, tabled 8 February 2001 by Lord Foster of Bishop Auckland (Labour). Signed by 55 members.

That this House notes that, under existing legislation, vehicles provided by local education authorities to take children to and from school do not have to be fitted with seatbelts, and in 1998, almost 2,000 children aged under 15 years were killed or injured while they were passengers on buses and coaches; further notes that the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents believes this figure could have been reduced if all vehicles were properly fitted with seatbelts; and welcomes The Northern Echo's campaign, supported by RoSPA, to ensure all journeys to and from school in local authority-provided transport are undertaken in vehicles fitted with secure seatbelts.

Signatures by party: Labour 38, Liberal Democrat 11, Labour/Co-operative 4, Scottish National Party 1, UUP 1.