HC Deb 12 July 1967 vol 750 cc797-8
4. Mr. Leslie Huckfield

asked the Minister of Transport whether she will give a date when her Department will be in a position to enforce fully the new nine-hour limit on transport drivers' hours of work.

Mrs. Castle

I expect to be able to enforce the proposed new limits on driving from the day on which they are introduced, following the necessary legislative authority in my Transport Bill.

Mr. Huckfield

Is my right hon. Friend satisfied that in this industry, which is already very lowly paid, especially in the basic rate, this proposal will enable sufficient time for the productivity increases to be negotiated which will permit the wage increases?

Mrs. Castle

Oh, yes. I am certainly hopeful that by the time I have got legislative power to make these changes, productivity agreements will have been negotiated.

Mr. McNamara

Is my right hon. Friend aware that some drivers are afraid that they may lose up to £5 a week in their income as a result of the new restriction? Is she also aware that there is a great deal of suspicion about the use of the tachograph machine? What negotiation is she holding with the trade unions about these problems? Unless these suspicions are allayed, there may be a great deal of trouble.

Mrs. Castle

I have had very detailed consultation with the trade unions before putting forward my proposals. They are certainly acceptable to the trade unions. I am very glad that they have realised that if the new limits are to be effective we must have improved measures of enforcement, including the installation of the tachograph. This is a very farsighted view that the unions are taking.