§ Mr. David Clarkasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the regulations agreed by the European Economic Community countries affecting lorries with relation to total weight, lorry length, articulated lorry length, lorry and trailer length and the maximum load per axle.
§ Mr. PeytonNo regulations have been agreed. We and other acceding countries are to be consulted on the following proposals:
Total weight … … 40 tonnes Length Rigid lorry … … 12 metres Articulated lorry … … 15.5 metres Lorry and trailer … … 18 metres Axle load … … 11 tonnes
§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) if, in view of the fact that, if the Community's proposals for an 11.5 ton axle weight limit is adopted, it is likely to cost the British taxpayer £300 million to strengthen British roads and bridges, he will give an assurance that before reaching any agreement with the Community he will seek the opinion of the House of Commons on this subject;
(2) whether he will give an estimate of the costs of damage to historic buildings, houses, and monuments, that will following from the implementation of the newly-agreed European Economic Community directives on axle and overall lorry weights;
391W(3) now that the European Economic Community have agreed on an 11-ton axle rate for lorries and an overall lorry weight of 40 tons, and as implementation of such rulings in Great Britain will cost £300 million to strengthen the roads and bridges, what action he proposes to take to prevent the introduction of such rulings in Great Britain.
§ Mr. PeytonNo Community decision will be reached until consultations have taken place with the acceding countries.