HL Deb 26 October 2000 vol 618 cc57-8WA
Lord Berkeley

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What research has been undertaken into the road safety reasons for including train drivers and employed lorry drivers within the Working Time Directive but excluding self-employed drivers. [HL4213]

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions (Lord Whitty)

I am not aware of any research which has been undertaken, either in the UK or by the Commission, which directly addresses this issue. The Government are concerned about the enforceability of regulations in relation to the self-employed. Issues such as road safety and fair competition are already addressed under European drivers' hours legislation (EC 3820/85) which applies to all drivers who drive the vehicles subject to it.