§ Mr. JenkinTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he plans to lay regulations bringing in the new style of number plate for motor vehicles; and what the reason is for the delay in laying the regulations. [137532]
§ Mr. Hill[holding answer 9 November 2000]It is anticipated that new number plate regulations will be laid before Parliament early in the new year. The delay in laying these regulations has arisen as a result of the need to revise the draft regulations following public consultation in August 1999 and January this year. In accordance with EC Directive 98/34/EC, as amended by Directive 98/48/EC, we have submitted the revised regulations to the European Commission. The regulations may be made after the end of the three-month consultation period with the Commission, which expires on 22 January 2001.
§ Mr. JenkinTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions for what reason details of the font to be used on the new style of number plates for motor vehicles announced in March have not been released to manufacturers of number plates. [137533]
§ Mr. Hill[holding answer 9 November 2000]Details of the font to be used on the new style number plates, to be introduced from the revised date of 1 September 2001, were included in the Department's original consultation letter issued on 5 August 1999. This was sent to over476W 180 organisations and was placed on the Department's website. Copies have also been available from the Department on request.