To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what action he is taking to tackle overcrowding on school buses in Northern Ireland; and what plans he has to make the wearing of seatbelts compulsory on these buses. [120904]

Safety issues relating to school buses were the subject of an extensive inquiry instigated by the Northern Ireland Assembly's Environment Committee. The Department of the Environment is at present engaged in the early stages of a Regulatory Impact Assessment on the recommendations made by the Committee, including the wearing of seatbelts and issues related to overcrowding. The way forward will be considered in light of the findings arising from this exercise.