§ The Lord ChancellorMy Lords, I beg to move that this Bill be now read a second time. The Bill consolidates the statutory system for the licensing of operators of heavy goods vehicles which was set up by Part V of the Transport Act 1968. That system was modified by the Goods Vehicles (Operators' Licences, Qualifications and Fees) Regulations 1984, part of which implemented obligations arising under the common transport policy of the European Communities.
298 Both the 1968 Act and the 1984 regulations have been heavily amended. The most recent amendments, made by the Deregulation and Contracting Out Act 1994 and which are yet to come into force, will replace the present system of licensing whereby operators' licences expire five years after they are issued with a system of continuous licensing. Under the new system, operators' licences will continue in force indefinitely unless withdrawn on grounds relating to the licence-holder's conduct or on other grounds.
The law in this area is much in need of consolidation, and I should like to take this opportunity to thank the draftsman for continuing this important consolidation work. If your Lordships are content to give the Bill a Second Reading, it will be referred in the usual way to the Joint Committee on Consolidation Bills. I commend the Bill to the House.
§ Moved, That the Bill be now read a second time.— (The Lord Chancellor.)
§ On Question, Bill read a second time, and referred to the Joint Committee on Consolidation Bills.