§ 9 Clause 13, page 8 line 36, leave out from beginning to end of line 41 and insert: 71
- '(a) a police vehicle, identifiable as such by writing or markings on it or otherwise by its appearance, if being used for police purposes;
- (b) an ambulance as defined in section 4(2) of the Vehicles (Excise) Act 1971;
- (c) a fire engine as so defined;
- (d) a vehicle exempt from duty under that Act by virtue of—
- section 4(1) (g) of that Act (invalid carriages),
- section 4(1) (kb) of that Act (vehicles used for carriage of disabled persons by recognised bodies), or
- section 7(2) of that Act (vehicles used by or for purposes of disabled person).'.
§ Lord Brabazon of TaraMy Lords, I beg to move that the House do agree with the Commons in their Amendment No. 9. I shall speak also to Amendments Nos. 10, 11, 28 to 30 and 32.
Noble Lords will recall that, when the Bill started out in this House, no category of vehicle was expressly exempt from tolls; our policy was to leave everything to individual toll orders. However, my noble friend Lord Swinfen persuaded the House to add a provision to Clause 13 so that every toll order must exempt those disabled persons' vehicles that are exempt from vehicle excise duty. This reached its final state at Third Reading in this House, and I undertook to see to it that amendments were tabled in another place to bring the Scottish provisions into line with those for England and Wales. That is the purpose of Amendments Nos. 28 and 29.
Ministers in another place were persuaded that there is an equally strong case for adding exemptions for emergency vehicles. That is the purpose of Amendment No. 9 (for England and Wales) and Amendment No. 30 (for Scotland). I think the House will agree that they improve the Bill.
§ Moved, That the House do agree with the Commons in their Amendment No. 9.—(Lord Brabazon of Tara.)
§ Lord Clinton-DavisMy Lords, I wish to mention a small matter. I understand that there is an ambiguity in the situation at present as regards the police authorities. The Greater Manchester and West Midlands police authorities have made formal representations with regard to the matter.
On Report in another place the Minister acknowledged that the Bill did not prevent a highway authority from reaching agreement with a concessionaire in relation to paying for policing costs. I understand that that is what the police authorities want. Is the Minister satisfied that the police authorities are happy about the situation and that there is no room for ambiguity?
§ Lord Brabazon of TaraMy Lords, the noble Lord raises a rather different point on the question of police costs on future toll roads. These amendments only allow police vehicles to go on the roads free of charge. The question of police costs was debated when the Bill was before your Lordships. As the noble Lord says, we are receiving representations from police authorities. Those matters can be dealt with in the concessions when granted to potential toll operators. They need not be dealt with on the face of the Bill.
§ Lord Clinton-DavisMy Lords, I am much obliged.
§ On Question, Motion agreed to.