§ Ms. Harman asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will consider legislation to ensure (a) the restriction of coaches from the use of the offside lane on three way motorways, except in emergencies, (b) that coach drivers do not act as tour guides and (c) that all time spent on employment with other employers prior to driving should be treated as on-duty time for the purpose of calculating driving and rest periods.
§ Mrs. Chalker[pursuant to her answer, 14 November 1983, c. 292]: (a) Coaches need to be able to overtake slower moving traffic, and a ban on use of the offside lane could cause unsafe bunching of coaches and heavy goods vehicles.
(b) No. There are already adequate sanctions against drivers who drive without due care and attention, and against those who fail to take the prescribed breaks and rest periods.
(c) This is a matter covered by Community regulations on which, finally, only the European Court can give an authoritative interpretation.