HC Deb 02 August 1978 vol 955 cc732-4
5. Mr. Grist

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what further representations he has had concerning implementation of EEC regulation (543/69) on drivers' hours and distances.

31. Mr. Andrew MacKay

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what further representations he has had concerning implementation of EEC regulation (543/69) on drivers' hours and distances.

Mr. Horam

There have been continuing approaches from a variety of sources, mostly seeking clarification of the legal position.

Mr. Grist

Does the Minister accept that this regulation will have a disastrous effect on the cost of distributing fresh vegetables and other foodstuffs, and that we are not at all happy with the Secretary of State's statement on Monday night—namely, that we may have to wait three years before we can expect any change in this rule?

Mr. Horam

The fact is that it has been very difficult to make any amendments to the regulation. We negotiated hard and long with the EEC to get what we have, as the House knows. It will certainly mean changes, especially in the area the hon. Gentleman talked about, but I am sure that we shall try to do our best if there is any more ground to be made by changing any further regulations.

Mr. MacKay

Since, between the Department and the EEC, some 27 documents and regulations on this subject have now been issued, when will the Minister publish a concise pamphlet so that the small hauliers can understand what is going on, bearing in mind that the Prime Minister has said that he wants to cut down the amount of form-filling as quickly as possible?

Mr. Horam

I take the hon. Gentleman's point, which is a very fair one. It is an extremely complicated area, as the House found on Monday evening. We hope to publish a simple pamphlet within a month.

Mr. Rooker

Would my hon. Friend care to deny in a rather louder voice than he did when answering my supplementary question earlier this afternoon the report in The Guardian to the effect that we would allow 38-ton lorries on the roads of Britain so that drivers and transporters could arrange to overcome the problems relating to drivers' hours and distances, thereby bringing an economic advantage, but one that is an actual disadvantage to people such as my constituents who live alongside motorways?

Mr. Horam

The Guardian article to which my hon. Friend referred is completely inaccurate, and I cannot say any more than that.

Mr. Marten

Will the Minister explain why, in the negotiations, he accepted the 450 kilometres when previously, I believe it was in an explanatory memoranda, the Government said that they were utterly opposed to it? Why did the Minister have to give in?

Mr. Horam

Because we had no choice.