§ Mr. EdwardsTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what safeguards are in place to ensure that prison custody officers employed to drive prison cellular escort vehicles do not drive for longer than would be the case if they were driving other similar size vehicles covered by the tachograph regulations; [35011]
(2) what vehicles used by companies involved in the Home Office Prison Court and Escort contracts to escort prisoners to and from courts and between prisons are exempt from tachograph regulations; [35010]
(3) if he will introduce tachograph regulations to cover cellular vehicles used to carry prisoners on escort. [35009]
§ Mr. JamiesonI have been asked to reply.
The fitting and use of tachographs is governed by European Union (EU) Regulations. Passenger carrying vehicles with fewer than 17 seats are exempt. Prison escort vehicles with between 10 and 17 seats are subject to the separate UK domestic drivers' hours legislation which sets maximum driving and duty limits.
The European Commission has put forward a proposal to change the existing EU Regulation, including the possible removal of the exemption for passenger vehicles with between 10 and 17 seats. The UK Government are 628W currently consulting on this proposal. Any change to the existing EU law will require the agreement of the Council of Ministers and the European Parliament.
Escort contractors are expected to comply with all relevant provisions of Road Traffic Legislation in respect of drivers' hours and to maintain, and produce, for inspection by the appropriate authorities, such records as are required.