§ Mr. Stratton Millsasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs which countries signed the European Agreement on Road Transport; which of these have ratified the convention and introduced consequential legislation; and what steps are being taken by Her Majesty's Government to secure the widespread implementation of this agreement, having regard to the danger to British tourists travelling on the Continent by long-distance coach where the drivers have driven for excessive periods.
§ Mrs. WhiteThe 1962 European Agreement concerning the Work of Crews of Vehicles engaged in International Road Transport (A.E.T.R.) has been signed by Belgium, France, Federal Republic of Germany, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Poland, Sweden and the United Kingdom. Instruments of ratification or accession have been transmitted to the United Nations by France, Netherlands, Spain and Yugoslavia, but have not yet been deposited in accordance with the provisions of the Agreement.
Her Majesty's Government desire to see the Agreement in operation over as large an area, as possible and will use such influence as is open to them. They are prepared to ratify the Agreement subject to certain reservations. The statutory requirements regulating drivers' hours in this country are already broadly in line with those in the Agreement.