§ 6. Mr. McQuarrieasked the Minister of Transport what progress has been made in the introduction of tachographs; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. FowlerI have to date approved approximately two-thirds of the proposed network of 450 major tachograph installation centres. This network is being supplemented by a number of more modestly equipped stations in remote areas.
I am not aware of any problems, but my Department's enforcement staff will be paying particular attention to compliance with the programme for fitting tachographs during their routine checks of vehicles.
§ Mr. McQuarrieI thank my right hon. Friend for that reply. Is he aware that the statement he made on 10 March exempting certain vehicles from the tachograph requirement did not take any cognisance of EEC regulations whereby the limit is 3.5 metric tons liveweight? In view of the fact that many vehicles leaving rural constituencies such as mine have a greater liveweight than that will he consider some form of exemption to carry them into the EEC?
§ Mr. FowlerI shall look at that point again. Certainly my information is that we have taken as much as we safely can from the EEC regulations. However, I shall examine the point further.