§ Mr. Hannamasked the Secretary of State for the Environment in what ways, in respect of both current licence holders and future applicants for licences, the UN Economic Commission for Europe's Agreement on Minimum Requirements for the Issue and Validity of Driving Permits (APC), the EEC Draft Directive (R 3075/75) on the harmonisation of driving licence laws and EEC Regulation 543/69 differ in relation to: (a) drivers of vehicles with up to nine seats including that of the driver, (b) drivers of vehicles with up to 12 seats including that of the driver and (c) drivers of vehicles with more than 12 seats.
§ Mr. MarksNone of these measures affects driving licence entitlements existing on 1st January 1976, or future entitlements to drive passengers vehicles with fewer than nine seats inclusive of the driver's.
The Economic Commission for Europe Agreement (APC) requires higher medical standards in some respects than we now require for drivers of passenger vehicles with more than nine seats which are not public service vehicles. The higher standards would apply to drivers first licensed after the agreement became effective in the United Kingdom if that course were to be decided upon.
EEC Draft Directive R 3075/75 would have no effect on the issue of British driving licences pending the prescription of conditions governing licence issue. I cannot forecast what these would be. EEC Regulations 543/69 changes the minimum age for driving vehicles with more than nine seats, inclusive of the driver's, to 21 and in relation to these vehicles also imposes conditions relating to hours of work, driving experience and training which have been reflected as necessary in the Road Traffic (Drivers' Ages and Hours of Work) Bill. As the hon. Member knows, the Commission has proposed an amendment which would remove vehicles with up to 12 seats, inclusive of the driver's, used exclusively for private purposes from the scope of the regulation. I welcome this, but will be 125W pressing for this proposed exemption to be extended. I should emphasise that even as it stands the regulation does not affect licence entitlements which existed on 1st January 1976, and that in relation to new drivers the holding of an ordinary car driving licence will meet the requirements relating to experience and training so far as vehicles used privately are concerned.
§ Mr. Hannamasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if it is proposed that the United Kingdom should accede to the UN Economic Commission for Europe's Agreement on Minimum Requirements for the Issue and Validity of Driving Permits (APC); what changes in the law any such accession would require in respect of: (a) drivers of vehicles with up to nine seats including that of the driver, (b) drivers of vehicles with up to 12 seats including that of the driver and (c) drivers of vehicles with more than 12 seats; and what effects these changes would have on (i) current licence holders and (ii) future applicants for licences.
§ Mr. MarksWe are considering the question of accession to this agreement in the light of comments made by a wide range of organisations which we have consulted. Accession would entail new legislation which would impose somewhat higher medical standards on future drivers of passenger vehicles with more than nine seats, inclusive of the driver's.
Existing driving licence holders would not be affected.
§ Mr. Hannamasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps he is taking on behalf of current and potential future drivers of private minibuses with up to nine seats including that of the driver and with up to 12 seats including that of the driver in respect of: (a) the UN Economic Commission for Europe's Agreement on Minimum Requirements for the Issue and Validity of Drivine Permits (APC), (b) the EEC Draft Directive (R 3075/75) on the harmonisation of driving licence laws and (c) EEC Regulation 543/69.
§ Mr. MarksI refer the hon. Member to my answers to his previous Questions today. No existing driving entitlements have been, or would be affected. So far126W as future drivers are concerned, I shall seek to secure suitable amendments to EEC Regulation 543/69 so that private minibus drivers will not have to comply with its provisions in relation to hours of work and records or certificates of competence.
I should emphasise that the Commission themselves have now proposed that the regulations should be amended to exempt drivers of private minibuses with up to 12 seats including the driver's.