SNP MSP Richard Lyle says he does not accept Mr Chapman's amendment and that the Scottish government have taken forward extensive stakeholder engagement.

Mr Lyle says people have made contracts and breaking that contract may mean higher costs.

Labour MSP Rhoda Grant says that a lot of local authorities have already introduced seatbelts and asks if the minister would expect this amendment to cause a problem for local authorities.

Lib Dem MSP Mike Rumbles says he supports this amendment and that the evidence is quite clear that local authorities are pursuing this already.

Mr Rumbles says there was a question at one point as to whether the Bill was even required and that any delay "sends out the wrong message".

Image source, Scottish Parliament

Tory MSP Peter Chapman says the committee agrees to support this Bill.

Mr Chapman says he moves that the measures in the legislation should be brought in not a day later than 31 December 2018.

He says the current stipulation of 2021 is a long, long way ahead.

Ms Grant says she needs to be clear that if she was referring to bus monitors then the amendment would have said that.

The Labour MSP says the amendment is clear in that regard.

She says she takes on board that it would be a wide-consultation between schools and the Scottish government.

Ms Grant says she will not press the amendments at this stage and hopes to work with the government on suitable wording.

Image source, bbc

Transport Minister Humza Yousaf says the Scottish government shares the sentiment in the amendments.

Mr Yousaf says there is no objection to the principle, however he says it is questionable that statutory guidance is necessary.

He says the interpretation of the word ''in amendment 5 may causes difficulties.

The minister says the government will proceed carefully here and he asks Ms Grant not to press her amendments.

SNP MSP Gillian Martin welcomes Rhoda Grant's useful ideas but says she agrees with the minister on the term 'monitor'.

Labour MSP Rhoda Grant says there is an issue with whose responsibility it is to enforce wearing seatbelts.

Ms Grant says it would be dangerous to give this responsibility to bus drivers.

The Labour MSP says her amendments ask for clarification on whose responsibility it is to enforce this.

Ms Grant says local authorities may engage monitors.

The committee agree to Gillian Martin's amendments relating to school trips.

SNP MSP Gillian Martin says if the amendments go through there will have to be a new financial memorandum.

Ms Martin says she has reached out to headteachers and teaching associations who have offered "overwhelming support" and that they did not see that there would be much change to their practices.

Tory MSP Jamie Greene asks if by including excursions during the day will there be an additional onus on schools and their contracts with bus companies.

Ms Martin says the new financial memorandum will address these points.

The SNP MSP says this covers all trips and, if the school sees fit to go on a trip, then that is covered under education.....even Alton Towers!

Ms Martin presses the amendments.

Image source, bbc

Transport Minister Humza Yousaf welcomes the work of the committee and the work of Gillian Martin.

Mr Yousaf congratulates Ms Martin on getting praise from Mike Rumbles as it took him six or seven committee appearances to do so.

He says he welcomes the detail from Ms Martin and the reflections from the committee and he says the government stands ready to help with the implementation of any Act.

The minister says the Scottish government strongly supports these amendments.

SNP MSP Stewart Stevenson asks if Ms Martin would be minded to extend the definition beyond education or training at Stage 3.

Mr Stevenson says this could be extended to sports teams.

Image source, bbc

Ms Martin moves amendment one.

SNP MSP John Mason says many of the committee will be enthusiastic about these amendments.

He says he is very glad school trips are included.

Lib Dem MSP Mike Rumbles agrees this is a welcome addition to the Bill.

Tory MSP Jamie Greene says one of his concerns is legal requirements put on schools.

SNP MSP Gillian Martin says she considers the safety of children on school transport to be of the utmost importance.

Ms Martin says many buses used for school transport already have seatbelts installed.

The SNP MSP says there are different kinds of school trips and the definition captures trips that begin and end at the school on the same day.

She says the legal duty as amended will extend to nursery and schools.