HL Deb 20 March 1980 vol 407 cc343-4

3.10 p.m.

Lord SPENS

My Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.

The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what is meant by the phrase"specialised vehicles used for cultural events"which appear to be exempted from the requirement to fit tachographs (Lords Hansard, 12th March, col. 1200).

Lord MOWBRAY and STOURTON

My Lords, I regret that this phrase is not defined in the relevant European Community regulations and Her Majesty's Government have no power to define it. Only the courts—ultimately the European Court of Justice—can settle the meaning of the phrase in the context of these regulations.

Lord SPENS

My Lords, I thank the noble Lord the Minister for that somewhat equivocal reply—and I think I know what he means. May I ask him whether he can confirm that any exemption that exists would be extended to commercially licensed vehicles as well as to privately licensed vehicles, and that there would be no limitation on the distance driven?

Lord MOWBRAY and STOURTON

My Lords, within our national bound- aries, whether it is private or commercial does not affect the exemptions.

Lord PAGET of NORTHAMPTON

My Lords, can the noble Lord assure us that"specialised vehicles used for cultural events"includes horse boxes?

Lord MOWBRAY and STOURTON

My Lords, I am not sure that I can advise the House in any such way.