§ Mr. Teddy Taylorasked the Secretary of State for Transport if the Council of Ministers of the European Community have indicated their intention to consider legislation on lorry sizes on the basis of majority voting under the Single Act; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MooreThe Council adopted in December 1984 a Directive (85/3 EEC) on the weights and dimensions of heavy lorries. The Directive contains a derogation for the United Kingdom and Ireland as regards certain of the weight limits, and makes it clear that the duration of the derogation is to be decided under Article 75(3) of the treaty which provides for unanimous decisions. This is not affected by the Single European Act. The UK has no need for a derogation on lorry dimensions; the dimensions specified in the Directive are within our limits, and lorries in other Community countries are no bigger than those permitted in this country.