§ Mrs. DunwoodyTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to promote legislation which will allow drive hours records to be handed over to vehicle inspectorate staff. [1504]
§ Mr. BowisThe Government will consider what further clarification of the powers of inspectors to inspect and remove tachograph charts is necessary and, if appropriate will propose amending legislation in due course.
§ Mrs. DunwoodyTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what factors underlay his Department's decision not to reduce the maximum number of drivers' hours; and what research his Department evaluated in this area. [1506]
§ Mr. BowisIn the absence of any research evidence to suggest that the existing European Union limits on maximum driving time and minimum rest requirements are in themselves a cause of accidents, the Government have no reason to doubt that the existing drivers' hours rules strike a reasonable balance between road safety and operational flexibility.