HL Deb 24 January 1967 vol 279 cc414-5
LORD ELTON

My Lords, I beg leave to ask the second Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.

[The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they propose to take further action designed to check the illegal practices by which drivers of passenger and goods vehicles are enabled to operate for much longer hours than the law permits, thus frequently becoming a danger to other users of the road.]

LORD SHEPHERD

My Lords, as my right honourable friend the Minister of Transport has already announced (and I refer to her statement of yesterday) she is reviewing the present statutory limits on the working hours of drivers of lorries and buses. Particular attention is being paid during this review to the improvement of methods of enforcing observance of the limits.

LORD ELTON

My Lords, while thanking the noble Lord for that Answer, may I ask if he is able to say whether it is likely that authority will be given to Ministry of Transport inspectors to examine wages sheets and consignment records, without which it would seem that they are not likely to have much success in controlling excess driving hours?

LORD SHEPHERD

My Lords, it is quite clear that the present methods of examining the performance of drivers, the time they work, is not satisfactory, and therefore there is a radical review covering all forms of control, and in particular the opportunities for inspectors to obtain the necessary information to see that the law is enforced.

LORD POPPLEWELL

My Lords, arising out of that reply, may I ask whether there is going to be an increase in the number of these inspectors, and, if so, is my noble friend Lord Shepherd able to say how many?

LORD SHEPHERD

My Lords, not at this stage. I hope my right honourable friend will be able to make a Statement in the not too far distant future, and I think the noble Lord will find from that Statement that there has been a radical review to see that the enforcement of the law is carried out

LORD BLYTON

My Lords, will my noble friend try to guard against intimidation of the employee, where a man has to drive long hours because he fears that he will get the sack if he does not do so?

Loan SHEPHERD

My Lords, the main aim for the Government in this matter is to see that the law is enforced. Clearly, if a driver is intimidated by his employer to break the law then he must be given the necessary protection. Our first and paramount aim is to see that the law is enforced.

LORD ELTON

My Lords, may I ask a question about a matter which seems particularly difficult to deal with: that is, the so-called "moonlighting", where a person is doing two different jobs, one or both of which involve driving?

LORD SHEPHERD

My Lords, I have had no experience of "moonlighting": I thought it was something to do with the old bootlegging. But I will certainly take note of the point that the noble Lord has made. The whole matter is being most carefully and exhaustively reviewed.