That's a very good point Mercman, the front passenger seat is presumably less safe than the back seat (I would guess anyway).
But if it were not legal, I would not even have to think about that, so just wanted to find out the legal position first.
Now that I know it is legal, the safety question arises.
It would only be for a couple of short trips, so the chances of an accident are slim, quite frankly. I know most accidents happen on short trips, but that is a function of the sheer number of those we make.
The other consideration is that if they don't go in my car, they go by taxi, and that would mean they might end up travelling to / from some outings without a car seat or even booster (which is legal but unsafe).
Anyhow, at the end of the day its not for me to worry about as their parents must decide what they are allowed to do or not.
Fair point though.