§ 1. Mr. Leslie Huckfieldasked the Secretary of State for the Environment how he proposes to explain the provisions of the European Communities Bill about drivers' hours and tachographs to employers and unions in the roal haulage industry.
§ The Minister for Transport Industries (Mr. John Peyton)By normal consultation and publicity.
§ Mr. HuckfieldI am grateful for that answer, but I am afraid I know what it means. Does the right hon. Gentleman accept that there is a great deal of concern in the trade union movement about the foisting of this measuring device upon the industry and that it would have been far better if it had been introduced on a voluntary rather than a compulsory basis? Will the right hon. Gentleman give an assurance that there will be the widest possible consultation, particularly with the Transport and General Workers Union, before the specifications for installation of the tachograph are drawn up?
§ Mr. PeytonYes, Sir, there will be very full consultation. I have already met members of various trade unions on the subject on a number of occasions, and only this week I have had a talk with Mr. Jack Jones.