§ 12. Mr. Joplingasked the Minister of Public Building and Works what undertaking he has given to the construction industry regarding the effect on productivity of the proposals for operators' licences in respect of vehicles normally based on construction sites contained in the Transport Act, 1968.
§ 16. Mr. A. Royleasked the Minister of Public Building and Works, what undertakings he has given to the construction industry regarding the effect on productivity of the proposals for the reduction of drivers' hours on construction sites contained in the Transport Act, 1968.
§ Mr. MellishNone, Sir.
§ Mr. JoplingIs the Minister aware of the assurance which the late Mr. Swingler gave the House on 21st October, when he said that discretion should be used on construction sites? Will he say what method he intends to use to make all licensing authorities aware of the assurances given by the late Mr. Swingler? Will he use a circular or some other method?
§ Mr. MellishDuring the passage through Committee of this Measure I made facilities available to the industry for expressing its point of view, which was clearly understood by the Minister of Transport, and my friend the late Mr. Swingler. The assurances that he gave then are still there. I do not see that there is any problem over the operators' 1150 licence affecting productivity. The same applies with regard to drivers' hours. If there is anything further that the industry wants me to do, it has but to ask.
§ Mr. RoyleWill the Minister make special regulations for building sites, as driving conditions are different there from those on the main roads?
§ Mr. MellishWe cannot buy productivity at the expense of safety. Safety is the object of the provisions in the Act. The hon. Gentleman's Question relates to driving hours, and the reduction in these hours will be introduced in stages, subject to progress on negotiations over productivity.