§ Mr. WoodwardTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he plans to repeal United Kingdom rules on bus and coach drivers' hours and apply EU rules to all operations. [91490]
§ Ms Glenda JacksonThe Government said in the Transport White Paper that it would consult the industry on legislation to bring most of the operations subject to the UK rules on drivers' hours within the scope of the European Union rules.
§ Mr. WoodwardTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he plans to extend the Working Time Directive to the road transport sector. [91491]
§ Ms Glenda JacksonThe road transport sector is covered by two proposals on Working Time from the European Commission. The first (taken in the Social Affairs Council) amends the existing Directive to include all transport sectors except maritime. The Council has now reached political agreement on this proposal, but it is subject to the co-decision procedure with the European Parliament and therefore subject to final approval.
The second proposal introduces further specific provisions, aimed at the road transport sector, on the average and maximum weekly limits; rest periods; provisions on night working; and derogations. These proposals are currently under discussion in the Transport Council.