§ Mr. Austin Mitchellasked the Secretary of State for Transport what proposals he has for repealing those sections of the 1968 Act which conflict with or differ from the EEC regulations on drivers' hours and conditions currently being introduced by stages; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. William RodgersFollowing con, sultations with both sides of the road transport industry, and with the European Commission, I hope to be in a position very shortly to lay draft regulations before the House designed to harmonise the provisions of the Transport Act 1968 with those of Regulation (EEC) 543/69. Repeal of the 1968 Act provisions would be inappropriate, mainly because there is a continuing requirement for the provisions which impose restrictions on duty time. The Transport Act provisions will also continue to control many operations which are outside the scope of the EEC Regulation.