HC Deb 16 May 1988 vol 133 cc363-4W
Mr. Flynn

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what representations he has received on the problems in Holland and Germany arising from the level of training of British drivers of trucks loaded with explosives.

Mr. Peter Bottomley

There have been occasional representations about the practice in United Kingdom not to issue a special certificate for drivers trained in explosives work.

We have been discussing with the CBI and the Health and Safety Executive the development of an approved national training scheme for drivers of vehicles carrying explosives. This will give them a certificate and will be used to negotiate reciprocal recognition with the authorities in the Netherlands and the Federal Republic of Germany.

Mr. Flynn

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what representations he has received from Mr. Ian Rycroft, transport director of EC Transport, Dorset, calling for the United Kingdom authorities to design and authorise a course of instructions acceptable to other contracting states of the ADR agreement on international carriage of dangerous goods by road.

Mr. Peter Bottomley

A telex message.

Mr. Flynn

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he intends to bring the regulations on the transport of ammunition by road up to the standards of the ADR agreement on international carriage of dangerous goods by road.

Mr. Peter Bottomley

The United Kingdom is a signatory of the ADR agreement and is involved in keeping it up to date.

I explained to the hon. Member on 18 April that we intend to make the Road Traffic (Carriage of Explosives) Regulations later this summer. These regulations will be in line with the revised ADR provisions covering the carriage of explosives by road that are due to come into effect from 1 January 1990. Both will be more comprehensive than the current ADR provisions.

Mr. Flynn

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what information he has as to the extent to which the authorities in Holland and Germany provide additional locally trained drivers on British trucks carrying explosives in their countries because of the level of training of United Kingdom drivers.

Mr. Peter Bottomley

In the Netherlands and the Federal Republic of Germany such a requirement is imposed upon foreign vehicles carrying explosives, notwithstanding the existence of the international road transport agreement, ADR.