§ Sir Teddy TaylorTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport for what reason Her Majesty's Government agreed to the directive on Euro speed limits for lorries and buses on 16 December; and if he will make a statement outlining the costs of the proposal and the benefits which will stem from it.
§ Mr. ChopeCommission proposal 8046/91 was subject to qualified majority voting and the United Kingdom was the only member state opposed to the inclusion of set speeds in the directive. The Government support the principle that speed limiters should be fitted to lorries and coaches. Moreover, the directive will be of benefit to the United Kingdom because, for the future. EC-registered vehicles, as well as those which are subject to the national construction and use regulations, will have to be fitted with limiters. The restrictions on speed will add to gross operating costs but there will be savings in fuel to set against these.
§ Sir Teddy TaylorTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport for what reason Her Majesty's Government agreed to the directive on Euro speed limits for lorries and buses being considered as a majority voting measure; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. ChopeThe proposal for a directive on the fitment of speed limiters including speeds at which the limiters must be set was presented under article 75 of the European treaty as a measure in pursuance of a common transport policy. Voting under this article is required to be by qualified majority.
§ Sir Teddy TaylorTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport if there are any exemptions in any member state from the restrictions on speed limits for lorries and buses agreed in the Council on 16 December; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. ChopeThe proposed directive on the fitment of speed limiters will not provide any exemptions to permit member states to set limiters above the prescribed speeds.