HL Deb 07 December 1978 vol 397 cc401-2WA
Lord O'HAGAN

asked Her Majesty's Government:

To what extent control over heavy lorries has passed to the EEC; and what decisions in this field are likely to come before the Council of Ministers in the next three months.

Baroness STEDMAN

EEC measures in several fields impinge on heavy lorries. Those which have already been adopted include provisions on such matters as smoke, noise, lighting, braking, rear-view mirrors, rear protection devices, speedometers, radio interference, roadworthiness testing and lorry drivers' hours.

Measures now under discussion would provide not only for the control of lorry weights and dimensions but also for the adjustment of national lorry taxation systems and for the amendment of the existing Directives on rear protection devices and on braking. Some of these may come before the Council of Ministers in the next three months. Measures not agreed by the Council of Ministers remain within the sole jurisdiction of the United Kingdom.