WELSH Conservative AM Alun Cairns today reacted angrily to the Assembly Government’s refusal to push to the limit planned new powers to improve safety on school buses.

Legal advice suggests ministers could issue guidance to councils across Wales to introduce compulsory seat belts on school buses, phase out double decker vehicles, and end the practice of three pupils for every two seats.

But at a meeting of the committee today Transport Minister Ieuan Wyn Jones implied the Assembly Government did not have the power to do so.

Mr Cairns said the Assembly Government needs to show more courage in the proposals outlined in its Learner Travel Measure.

The South Wales West AM said that in the view of conflicting legal advice the minister should test the limits of the proposals.

He added:

“I cannot believe the Assembly Government is not prepared to push the boundaries of this proposed legislation to the limit.

“Legal advice suggests ministers can provide guidance to councils over areas such as compulsory seat belts and an end to the use of double decker buses.

“There is conflicting legal advice on just how far the Assembly Government can go with this legislation.

“Surely the important issue of children’s safety is worth testing the limits of this proposed legislation in the courts if necessary.

“I could never imagine Alex Salmond not being prepared to test the powers of the Scottish Parliament to the full.

“Why is Ieuan Wyn Jones not prepared to show the same sort of courage and determination?”