HC Deb 17 February 1971 vol 811 cc478-9W
20. Dr. Gilbert

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish a full list of the directives and regulations which are at present in force in the European Economic Community and which have been proposed by the Commission of the European Economic Community, respectively, with respect to transport matters.

Mr. Peyton

No. Unofficial translations of Community regulations and directives were on sale by H.M.S.O. up to 1967, and my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs has placed in the Library of the House of Commons translations of subsequent Community instruments, with an index.

Measures proposed by the Commission but not yet in force are not published here.

164. Mr. Rankin

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether the United Kingdom regulations governing the length, breadth and weight of lorries will require to conform with those operating in the European Economic Community if the United Kingdom joins the Common Market.

Mr. Peyton

I would refer the hon. Member to the Answer I gave to the hon. Member for Dudley (Dr. Gilbert) today.

98. Dr. Gilbert

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what will be the effect of United Kingdom regulations with respect to the length and weight of lorries should the United Kingdom enter the European Economic Community.

Mr. Peyton

This will depend upon what Community rules on the subject, if any, are in force at the time.

Mr. Hunt

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether, in the discussions about the technical adaptations needed to apply European Economic Community transport legislation to the United Kingdom, the Government have asked for a transitional period before applying the provisions of Regulation 1463/70; and by what date he estimates the fitting of tachographs to British goods vehicles will become compulsory on this basis.

Mr. Peyton

We have sought exemption from the Regulation's intermediate requirement that new vehicles should be fitted with tachographs as from 1st January, 1975. The main requirement, that most goods vehicles, existing and new, of over 3½ tons gross weight, should be so fitted, becomes operative only on 1st January, 1978.