§ Mr. J. E. B. Hillasked the Minister of Transport what consultations he is having with foreign Governments with a view to preserving fair competition between British and foreign road hauliers and to ensure that foreign drivers and goods vehicles coming into this country will be subject to the same safety regulations, restrictions on drivers' hours, length of journeys and other provisions of the Transport Bill.
§ Mr. MarshMy Ministry have already concluded bilateral agreements with Germany and Sweden governing road haulage services between the United Kingdom and those countries and are at present in negotiations with nine other countries. Drivers of foreign goods vehicles must comply with British law regarding drivers' hours and rest periods whilst in this country, and with our safety regulations. Technical safety standards for goods vehicles are also governed to some extent by international agreements to which the United Kingdom and many other European countries are parties. I am seeking power under the Transport Bill to exempt international journeys by264W road hauliers, whether British or foreign, from the provisions on quantity licensing.