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Dept of the Environment Transport and the Regions;Vehicle Inspectorate

Answer

Mr. Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when vehicle inspectors received full guidance on checking procedures under regulations 46, 47 and 48 of the Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986, on seat belt installation standards in vehicles of eight or more passenger seats; when inspectors started checking such seat belt installations; and how many such vehicles have been inspected in line with the regulations since 1 July. [51872] Ms Glenda Jackson: I have asked the Chief Executive of the Vehicle Inspectorate to write to the hon. Member. Letter from Monica Newey to Mr. Tom Brake, dated July 1998: The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question about the training given to Vehicle Examiners on seat belt installations, when Examiners started checking seat belt installations, and how many vehicles have been inspected since 1 July. Regulations drawing on the provision of section 100(1) of the Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986 requiring the inspection of seat belt installations in addition to the mandatory requirements in the annual test for large passenger vehicles (that is with 9 or more passenger seats) come into force on 1 August. All Vehicle Inspectorate Testers and Vehicle Examiners received full guidance on the standards applicable to, and checking procedures for, seat belt installations in large passenger vehicles initially during February and March this year and again in May and June. The Vehicle Inspectorate began providing advice on seat belt installation standards on vehicles presented on a voluntary basis from March. Up to the end of June, 722 vehicles had been seen. The number of vehicles seen since 1 July is not yet available.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

51872; 317 c108-9W

Session

1997-98

Subjects

Buses Motor vehicles Safety Testing Safety belts Minibuses