HC Deb 05 July 1978 vol 953 cc194-5W
Mr.Hannam

asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on EEC regulations concerning minibuses following his Department's negotiations with the Commission.

Mr.William Rodgers

As I said in reply to a Question from my hon. Friend the Member for Thornaby (Mr Wriggles-worth) on 4th July, I have now laid before the House draft derogation regulations. They will exempt all minibuses constructed and equipped to carry not more than 15 persons when on journeys wholly within the United Kingdom, from the EEC rules on drivers' hours and records and on the use of tachographs.

These derogations do not apply to journeys between the United Kingdom and other EEC countries. Minibuses which are constructed and equipped to carry more than nine persons—including the driver—when travelling in other EEC member States are still required under the laws of those countries to comply with the full EEC rules.