10.03.2017
The Scottish Parliament’s Rural Economy and Connectivity Committee is encouraging individuals, the bus industry and other organisations to share their views on the Seat Belts on School Transport (Scotland) Bill, recently introduced by Gillian Martin MSP.
Convener of the Committee, Edward Mountain MSP commented:
“The purpose of the Bill is to require that seat belts are fitted on all motor vehicles which are used in dedicated home-to-school transport services, and we want to hear views from those with direct, ‘frontline’ experience of school transport safety.”
The Convener continued:
“The safety of children travelling to school is of vital importance. A key question for the committee is whether the bill will achieve its aim of improving safety on school transport. Eighteen local authority areas have already chosen to make it a requirement for seat belts to be fitted on dedicated school transport. The Committee wants to know whether making it compulsory for all education authorities is the correct way forward.”
The Committee’s call for evidence closes on 14 April 2017. On completion of its scrutiny of the bill at Stage 1, the Rural Economy and Connectivity Committee will share its findings with the Scottish Government.
Background
The Rural Economy and Connectivity Committee invites all interested individuals and organisations to submit written evidence on the Seat Belts on School Transport (Scotland) Bill and its likely impact. The Committee welcomes views on all of the Bill’s proposals. In particular, the Committee would like submissions to hear your views on the following questions:
- Are you in favour of the Bill and its provisions? Do you think the Bill achieves its aim of improving safety on school transport?
- 18 local authorities have already chosen to make it a requirement of their school bus contracts for seat belts to be fitted on dedicated school transport . Do you feel that this has been successful?
- Is there anything else that you feel should be included in the Bill?
- Will the Bill and its provisions have a particular impact on equalities groups?
Purpose of the Bill
The purpose of the Bill is to require that seat belts are fitted on all motor vehicles which are used in dedicated school transport services.
How to submit your evidence
Before making a submission, please read our Policy on Treatment of Written Evidence by Subject and Mandatory Committees.
Please send your views no later than 14 April 2017.
Responses should be sent, wherever possible, electronically and in MS Word format to: [email protected]
The Rural Economy and Connectivity Committee scrutinises policy proposals relating to rural affairs, transport and connectivity. It comes to a view after taking comprehensive evidence from, and engaging with, a wide range of stakeholders ‘on the frontline’ and applies authoritative, expert, effective and influential scrutiny to policy.
Photographs of the Committee and Convener are available free of charge.