Supplementary memorandum by the Department
of the Environment, Transport and the Regions (RH 48A)
SELECT COMMITTEE HEARING: 29 MARCH 2000
1. During the Select Committee hearing on
29 March into the road haulage industry I promised to write to
you with further information about a number of points raised in
Committee. I have subsequently seen the Clerk to the Committee's
letter of 30 March.
VIGNETTE
2. You asked about the EU vignette scheme
and the levels of charges applicable under it. I have pleasure
in enclosing a short paper (Annex A) which sets out our position.
CABOTAGE
3. We discussed levels of cabotage in the
UK and I attach two reports. The survey carried out recently by
DETR and already sent to your Committee is at Annex B. This shows
a cabotage rate of 0.06 per cent in the UK. In addition there
is a new report from the EU Commission recently published and
covering the position in 1997 (Annex C). This shows a cabotage
rate of 0.05 per cent in the UK.
IMPOUNDING
4. You asked when the relevant legislative
provisions would be introduced into the Transport Bill and how
impounding might work in practice. I attach a note (Annex D) which
explains our position.
44 TONNE LORRIES/CFIT/RAILFREIGHT
5. I am sorry you felt the announcement
on 44 tonne lorries was not made to Parliament in the most appropriate
way. The relevant material in the Red Book and the joint Treasury/DETR
Press Notice were placed in the Library of the House, in the usual
way. But colleagues and I have noted your view that the issue
should have been the subject of a formal statement. The decisive
factor in regard to the announcement was that a Vehicle Excise
Duty rate was needed for the 44 tonne lorry, and this rate can
be set only in the Budget and Finance Bill. That made an announcement
as part of the Budget unavoidable. We are, however, convinced
we have made the right decision and would have taken every opportunity
to explain why in greater detail; I attach a detailed explanation
of our position in this area at Annex E.
LGV DRIVER LICENCES
6. The Committee asked how long an LGV driving
licence lasts. Licences are valid from 21 to 45 years of age,
and can be renewed thereafter every five years (subject to medical
tests) up to age 65. They are then further renewable annually,
without an upper age limit.
ENVIRONMENTAL AND
TRACK COSTS
7. Lastly, the Committee asked about the
work currently being undertaken by NERA consultants on the track
and environmental costs of the UK road haulage industry. As I
said at the hearing, the NERA work is not quite complete. NERA
are preparing a summary of their work at the moment, this will
be published shortly and a copy will be placed in the House library.
I will also send a copy to you as soon as it is available.
Lord Whitty
11 April 2000
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