HC Deb 06 November 2002 vol 392 cc314-5W
Mrs. Dunwoody

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether the 48 hour average working week restriction will apply to drivers of large freight vehicles; if operators can require drivers to work more than 48 hours without having to sign an opt-out agreement to EU Regulation 3820/85; and if he will make a statement. [74344]

Mr. Spellar

Directive 2002/15/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council on the organisation of the working time of persons performing mobile road transport activities was adopted on 11 March 2002 and must be transposed into national law not later than 23 March 2005. This directive, which matches the scope of Regulation (EEC) 3820/85 on drivers' hours, requires member states to ensure that the average weekly working time may not exceed 48 hours over a reference period of 4 months which may, in certain circumstances, be extended to 6 months. Neither directive 2002/15/EC nor Regulation 3820/85 provides for an opt out.