HL Deb 18 July 1989 vol 510 cc748-9

[References are to Bill 103 as first printed by the Commons.]

1 Clause 1, page 1, line 22, after 'drive' insert 'or a goods vehicle of any class or as the case may be, a passenger-carrying vehicle of any class prescribed for the purposes of this subsection'.

2 Page 2, line 35, at end insert 'and the reference to prescribed classes of goods vehicles or passenger-carrying vehicles is a reference to classes of goods vehicles or passenger-carrying vehicles (within the meaning of the 1988 Act) prescribed under that paragraph.'

Lord Brabazon of Tara

My Lords, with the leave of the House, I beg to move that the House do agree with the Commons in their Amendments Nos. 1 and 2 en bloc. At the same time, I wish to speak to Amendment No. 14.

These amendments are to remove anomalies that would otherwise exist between new and existing vocational driving entitlement during the transition to the new system. The EC categories we are adopting do not provide as many classes of vocational entitlement as the present licensing system. This would mean that some drivers who obtain the new licences would be able to drive a wider range of vehicles than when they held the existing version. To avoid any unfair advantages being created during the transitional period, it is proposed to bring the existing and new categories into line. The amendments will allow the necessary regulations to be made. I beg to move.

Moved, That the House do agree with the Commons in their Amendments Nos. 1 and 2 en bloc. (Lord Brabazon of Tara.)

Lord Underhill

My Lords, am I correct in assuming that this matter arises from an EC directive, but that it will make no difference at all to any tests that may be necessary for drivers who may wish to go into higher classifications? I wish to say how grateful I am that the Minister has made available some notes on the amendments, because when many of these amendments were introduced in another place, either in Standing Committee or on the Floor of the House, not a word of introduction was given. Therefore, these notes were extremely helpful.

Lord Brabazon of Tara

My Lords, I am grateful to the noble Lord for his kind remarks. The amendment is concerned with the transition to the new EC categories. It will not make any difference to the testing arrangements. The number of classes of HGV licence will be reduced from three to two and PSV licence from four to two, so that there is a net reduction in two groups.

On Question, Motion agreed to.