§ Mr. Masonasked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the consultative meetings he has held with road transport unions on the new EEC Regulations [3820/85 and 3821/85] on road safety; and what assurances he has been able to give them regarding the future health, safety and welfare of lorry drivers; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. RidleyI discussed the Commission's proposals with officers of the TGWU on 4 June 1984. My officials had further discussions on 27 September 1984, 3 June 1985 and 21 June 1985. Both I and my officials made it clear in the discussions that road safety has been one of our main considerations in the negiotiation of the regulation. My hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State has arranged to meet officers of the TGWU on 30 April to discuss our proposals for implementing the regulations and for changes to the domestic driving code.
§ Mr. Masonasked the Secretary of State for Transport whether the proposed new EEC Regulations on road safety, due to be enacted on 29 September, have received the support of the European Parliament and the Social and Economic Committee of the Community and the backing of the road haulage unions; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. RidleyIn adopting the new regulations, which come into force on 29 September, the Council of Ministers took account of the views of the other institutions of the Community and of the European trade union organisations.
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§ Mr. Masonasked the Secretary of State for Transport whether he has established that all member nations of the EEC will introduce the new regulations governing road safety on or before 29 September; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. RidleyRegulations 3820/85 and 3821/8 enter into force on 29 September. They will be directly applicable in all member states.
§ Mr. Masonasked the Secretary of State for Transport what representations he has received from the Transport and General Workers Union asking for the suspension of the introduction of the new EEC regulations, relating to lorry drivers' hours and rest periods; what reply he has given to the union's representations concerning the effect of the regulations on the levels of mental and physical fatigue of drivers; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. RidleyMy Department has received a letter from the TGWU dated 13 March 1986 setting out the United Kingdom road transport unions' objections to the regulations. This will be discussed at the meeting on 30 April which my hon. Friend the Minister with responsibility for roads and traffic has arranged with officers of the TGWU to discuss our proposals for implementing the regulations.
§ Mr. Masonasked the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the implications of (a) the omission from the new EEC regulations on road safety of any provision for a full weekend's rest for lorry drivers and (b) the procedures proposed for enforcing the regulations, for the safety of road haulage drivers; and what assurances he has given to the road transport unions on these matters.
§ Mr. RidleyThe new regulation increases the standard weekly rest requirement from 40 to 45 hours, and imposes new obligations on operators to ensure that their drivers comply with its provisions.