§ Lord Pearson of Rannochasked Her Majesty's Government:
What are the reference numbers of any present or proposed European Union legislation which might affect buses in the United Kingdom; what is the state of play of that legislation; and what is their estimate of its cost and benefit to the United Kingdom. [HL2115]
§ Lord WhittyThe information requested is as follows:
Existing legislation
(EEC) 684/92 (amended): Council Regulation on common rules for the international carriage of passengers by coach and bus.
(EEC) 56/83: Council Regulation implementing Council Decision 82/505/EEC on the Agreement on the international carriage of passengers by road by means of occasional coach and bus services.
(EC) 12/98: Council Regulation laying down the conditions under which non-resident carriers may operate national road passenger services within a member state.
96/26/EC (amended): Council Directive on admission to the occupation of road haulage operator and road passenger transport service operator and mutual recognition of diplomas, certificates and other evidence of formal qualifications intended to facilitate for these operators the right to freedom of establishment in national and international transport operations.
70/156/EEC, 70/157/EEC, 70/220/EEC, 70/221/EEC, 70/222/EEC, 70/311/EEC, 70/387/EEC, 70/388/EEC, 71/127/EEC, 71/320/EEC, 72/245/EEC, 72/306/EEC, 74/60/EEC, 74/61/EEC, 74/297/EEC, 74/408/EEC, 74/483/EEC, 75/443/EEC, 76/114/EEC, 76/115/EEC, 76/756/EEC, 76/757/EEC, 76/758/EEC, 76/759/EEC, 76/760/EEC, 76/761/EEC, 76/762/EEC, 77/102/EEC, 77/389/EEC, 77/538/EEC, 77/539/EEC, 77/540/EEC, 77/541/EEC, 77/649/EEC, 78/316/EEC, 78/317/EEC, 78/318/EEC, 78/507/EEC, 78/548/EEC, 78/549/EEC, 78/632/EEC, 78/932/EEC, 79/488/EEC, 79/489/EEC, 79/490/EEC, 80/1268/EEC, 80/1269/EEC, 82/318/EEC, 82/319/EEC, 84/424/EEC, 85/647/EEC, 88/76/EEC, 88/77/EEC, 88/194/EEC, 88/195/EEC, 88/321/EEC,
51WA88/436/EEC, 89/297/EEC, 89/459/EEC, 91/441/EEC, 91/662/EEC, 92/6/EEC, 92/21/EEC, 92/22/EEC, 92/23/EEC, 92/24/EEC, 92/114/EEC, 94/20/EC, 95/28/EC and amendments: motor vehicle standards.
Proposed legislation
COM(97)276 final: Proposal for a European Parliament and Council Directive relating to special provisions for vehicles used for the carriage of passengers comprising more than 8 seats in addition to the driver's seat and amending Council Directive 70/156/EEC
State of playCurrently being discussed in Council working group following European Parliament first reading.
Costs and benefits to the United KingdomNo direct costs. Should assist UK vehicle manufacturers as it provides a common standard throughout the EU.
COM(98)0117 final: Proposal for a Council Directive on the roadside inspection of the roadworthiness of commercial vehicles circulating in the Community
State of play: Common position adopted by Transport Council in June 1998. European Parliament amendments to be considered by Commission and Council.
Costs and benefits to the United Kingdom: Roadside inspections are already carried out in the UK, but additional inspections elsewhere in the Community would incur costs (estimated at up to about £70 on each occasion) in lost time and other implications. However, the proposal should help to raise vehicle safety standards and establish a more level playing field throughout the Community.
COM(98)0662 final: Proposal for a Council Directive concerning the organisation of working time for mobile workers performing road transport activities and for self employed drivers. Proposal for a Council Directive amending Directive 93/104/EC of 23 November 1993 concerning certain aspects of the organisation of working time to cover sectors and activities excluded from that Directive
State of playUnder discussion in the Council of Ministers.
Costs and benefits for the United KingdomThe Government have concerns over the application of some of the provisions in these proposals. It is not possible to give estimates of costs and benefits until these are resolved.