Rob Marris:
I thank my hon. Friend the Minister for his thoughtful response. I am glad that the Government recognise the benefits of vehicle data recording devices and interested to hear of the European Union research that will be completed within two years.
As my hon. Friend pointed out, information from the devices may be intrusive, and we must consider how the data that are recorded may be used. As a non-practising solicitor in civil law, I can tell the House that sooner or later someone will deploy what used to be called discoveryit is now called disclosure under the civil practice rulesto gain access to information. A defendant driver must produce it because, legally, the information on the black box is a document for the purposes of disclosure. It may not be accessible within matrimonial proceedings to see whether or not someone was in Brighton on a Saturday night, but it may be used to see whether they were driving a car at a certain speed and caused someone an injury. Once the lawyers get their act together, cracks will appear in the dam of privacy as a result of civil proceedings.
8 Mar 2005 : Column 1465
The compatibility of devices, both within the EU and across other continents and countries, is important. However, I must stress to the right hon. Member for East Yorkshire (Mr. Knight) that the devices already exist. I am not suggesting that they should be used for purposes other than those set out in proposed subsections (12)(a)(b) and (c) of my new clause. I am not suggestingand I do not think that any of the measure's proponents have done sothat legislation should be passed to retrofit devices to vehicles that are already on the road. If we introduced the measure with a commencement date of, for example, 2009, there would be three types of vehicle on the road. There would be vehicles without a black box, vehicles manufactured before 2009 that had been fitted with a black box and would be susceptible to accessibility regulations made by the Secretary of State and, from 2009 onwards, new vehicles to which it would be mandatory to fit black boxes. There is no question of retrofittingit is a question of recognising that a growing proportion of vehicles already have black boxes, which have safety benefits for road users and for research on road safety. As discussions and research are under way in the EU, it would be premature to pass legislation tonight to deal with the issue. I am glad the Government have the matter in hand and hope that they continue to push for further progress in the EU. On that basis, I beg to ask leave to withdraw the motion.
Motion and clause, by leave, withdrawn.
New Clause 19
Amendment of Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988
'Schedule 2 to the Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988 shall be amended by substituting the word "discretionary" for the word "obligatory" in column 6.'.
[Mr. Chope.]
Brought up, and read the First time.
Question put, That the clause be read a Second time:
The House divided: Ayes 166, Noes 273.
Division No. 117
[5.29 pm
AYES
Ainsworth, Peter
(E Surrey)
Amess, David
Atkinson, David
(Bour'mth E)
Atkinson, Peter
(Hexham)
Bacon, Richard
Baron, John
(Billericay)
Barrett, John
Beggs, Roy
(E Antrim)
Bellingham, Henry
Bercow, John
Beresford, Sir Paul
Blunt, Crispin
Boswell, Tim
Bottomley, Peter
(Worthing W)
Brady, Graham
Brake, Tom
(Carshalton)
Brazier, Julian
Breed, Colin
Browning, Mrs Angela
Burns, Simon
Burnside, David
Burt, Alistair
Butterfill, Sir John
Cable, Dr. Vincent
Campbell, Gregory
(E Lond'y)
Campbell, rh Sir Menzies
(NE Fife)
Carmichael, Alistair
Cash, William
Chapman, Sir Sydney
(Chipping Barnet)
Chope, Christopher
Clappison, James
Clarke, rh Kenneth
(Rushcliffe)
Collins, Tim
Conway, Derek
Cotter, Brian
Curry, rh David
Davey, Edward
(Kingston)
Djanogly, Jonathan
Dodds, Nigel
Donaldson, Jeffrey M.
Doughty, Sue
Duncan, Alan
(Rutland)
Evans, Nigel
Fabricant, Michael
Fallon, Michael
Field, Mark
(Cities of London & Westminster)
Flight, Howard
Flook, Adrian
Forth, rh Eric
Foster, Don
(Bath)
Francois, Mark
Gale, Roger
(N Thanet)
George, Andrew
(St. Ives)
Gibb, Nick
(Bognor Regis)
Gill, Parmjit Singh
Goodman, Paul
Grayling, Chris
Green, Damian
(Ashford)
Greenway, John
Grieve, Dominic
Gummer, rh John
Hammond, Philip
Harvey, Nick
Hawkins, Nick
Hayes, John
(S Holland)
Heald, Oliver
Heath, David
Heathcoat-Amory, rh David
Hendry, Charles
Hermon, Lady
Hoban, Mark
(Fareham)
Hogg, rh Douglas
Holmes, Paul
Horam, John
(Orpington)
Howarth, Gerald
(Aldershot)
Hughes, Simon
(Southwark N)
Jack, rh Michael
Jenkin, Bernard
Johnson, Boris
(Henley)
Jones, Nigel
(Cheltenham)
Kennedy, rh Charles
(Ross Skye & Inverness)
Key, Robert
(Salisbury)
Kirkbride, Miss Julie
Kirkwood, Sir Archy
Knight, rh Greg
(E Yorkshire)
Laing, Mrs Eleanor
Lait, Mrs Jacqui
Lamb, Norman
Leigh, Edward
Lewis, Dr. Julian
(New Forest E)
Liddell-Grainger, Ian
Lidington, David
Llwyd, Elfyn
Loughton, Tim
Luff, Peter
(M-Worcs)
McIntosh, Miss Anne
Mackay, rh Andrew
McLoughlin, Patrick
Malins, Humfrey
Maples, John
Mercer, Patrick
Moore, Michael
Moss, Malcolm
Murrison, Dr. Andrew
Norman, Archie
Oaten, Mark
(Winchester)
O'Brien, Stephen
(Eddisbury)
Öpik, Lembit
Osborne, George
(Tatton)
Ottaway, Richard
Page, Richard
Paice, James
Paisley, Rev. Ian
Paterson, Owen
Pickles, Eric
Price, Adam
(E Carmarthen & Dinefwr)
Prisk, Mark
(Hertford)
Pugh, Dr. John
Rendel, David
Robathan, Andrew
Robertson, Angus
(Moray)
Robertson, Hugh
(Faversham & M-Kent)
Robertson, Laurence
(Tewk'b'ry)
Robinson, Mrs Iris
(Strangford)
Roe, Dame Marion
Rosindell, Andrew
Ruffley, David
Russell, Bob
(Colchester)
Salmond, Alex
Sanders, Adrian
Shephard, rh Mrs Gillian
Simmonds, Mark
Smith, Sir Robert
(W Ab'd'ns & Kincardine)
Smyth, Rev. Martin
(Belfast S)
Spink, Bob
(Castle Point)
Spring, Richard
Stanley, rh Sir John
Stunell, Andrew
Swayne, Desmond
Swire, Hugo
(E Devon)
Syms, Robert
Tapsell, Sir Peter
Taylor, Ian
(Esher)
Taylor, John
(Solihull)
Taylor, Matthew
(Truro)
Taylor, Sir Teddy
Thomas, Simon
(Ceredigion)
Thurso, John
Tonge, Dr. Jenny
Trimble, rh David
Turner, Andrew
(Isle of Wight)
Tyler, Paul
(N Cornwall)
Waterson, Nigel
Watkinson, Angela
Webb, Steve
(Northavon)
Widdecombe, rh Miss Ann
Wiggin, Bill
Wilkinson, John
Williams, Roger
(Brecon)
Willis, Phil
Wilshire, David
Winterton, Ann
(Congleton)
Winterton, Sir Nicholas
(Macclesfield)
Wishart, Pete
Young, rh Sir George
Younger-Ross, Richard
Tellers for the Ayes:
Mr. Geoffrey Clifton-Brown and
Andrew Selous
NOES
Abbott, Ms Diane
Adams, Irene
(Paisley N)
Ainger, Nick
Ainsworth, Bob
(Cov'try NE)
Alexander, Douglas
Allen, Graham
Anderson, rh Donald
(Swansea E)
Anderson, Janet
(Rossendale & Darwen)
Armstrong, rh Ms Hilary
Atkins, Charlotte
Austin, John
Bailey, Adrian
Baird, Vera
Barron, rh Kevin
Bayley, Hugh
Beard, Nigel
Begg, Miss Anne
Bennett, Andrew
Benton, Joe
(Bootle)
Berry, Roger
Best, Harold
Betts, Clive
Blackman, Liz
Boateng, rh Paul
Bradley, rh Keith
(Withington)
Bradley, Peter
(The Wrekin)
Bradshaw, Ben
Brown, rh Gordon
(Dunfermline E)
Brown, rh Nicholas
(Newcastle E Wallsend)
Browne, Desmond
Bryant, Chris
Buck, Ms Karen
Burden, Richard
Burgon, Colin
Burnham, Andy
Byers, rh Stephen
Byrne, Liam
(B'ham Hodge H)
Cairns, David
Campbell, Alan
(Tynemouth)
Campbell, Ronnie
(Blyth V)
Caplin, Ivor
Casale, Roger
Caton, Martin
Cawsey, Ian
(Brigg)
Challen, Colin
Chapman, Ben
(Wirral S)
Chaytor, David
Clark, Mrs Helen
(Peterborough)
Clark, Dr. Lynda
(Edinburgh Pentlands)
Clark, Paul
(Gillingham)
Clarke, rh Tom
(Coatbridge & Chryston)
Clarke, Tony
(Northampton S)
Clelland, David
Coaker, Vernon
Coffey, Ms Ann
Cohen, Harry
Cook, Frank
(Stockton N)
Cook, rh Robin
(Livingston)
Cooper, Yvette
Corbyn, Jeremy
Cousins, Jim
Cox, Tom
(Tooting)
Cranston, Ross
Cruddas, Jon
Cummings, John
Cunningham, Jim
(Coventry S)
Cunningham, Tony
(Workington)
Dalyell, Tam
Darling, rh Alistair
Davey, Valerie
(Bristol W)
David, Wayne
Davidson, Ian
Davies, rh Denzil
(Llanelli)
Denham, rh John
Dismore, Andrew
Dobson, rh Frank
Doran, Frank
Dowd, Jim
(Lewisham W)
Drew, David
(Stroud)
Dunwoody, Mrs Gwyneth
Eagle, Angela
(Wallasey)
Eagle, Maria
(L'pool Garston)
Edwards, Huw
Ellman, Mrs Louise
Farrelly, Paul
Field, rh Frank
(Birkenhead)
Fisher, Mark
Fitzpatrick, Jim
Fitzsimons, Mrs Lorna
Flynn, Paul
(Newport W)
Follett, Barbara
Foster, Michael
(Worcester)
Foulkes, rh George
Gardiner, Barry
Gerrard, Neil
Gibson, Dr. Ian
Gilroy, Linda
Godsiff, Roger
Goggins, Paul
Griffiths, Jane
(Reading E)
Griffiths, Nigel
(Edinburgh S)
Griffiths, Win
(Bridgend)
Grogan, John
Hall, Mike
(Weaver Vale)
Hall, Patrick
(Bedford)
Hamilton, David
(Midlothian)
Hamilton, Fabian
(Leeds NE)
Hanson, David
Harris, Tom
(Glasgow Cathcart)
Havard, Dai
(Merthyr Tydfil & Rhymney)
Healey, John
Henderson, Doug
(Newcastle N)
Henderson, Ivan
(Harwich)
Hepburn, Stephen
Heppell, John
Hesford, Stephen
Hewitt, rh Ms Patricia
Heyes, David
Hinchliffe, David
Hodge, rh Margaret
Hoey, Kate
(Vauxhall)
Hoon, rh Geoffrey
Hope, Phil
(Corby)
Howarth, rh Alan
(Newport E)
Howarth, George
(Knowsley N & Sefton E)
Hoyle, Lindsay
Humble, Mrs Joan
Hutton, rh John
Iddon, Dr. Brian
Illsley, Eric
Jackson, Glenda
(Hampstead & Highgate)
Jackson, Robert
(Wantage)
Jamieson, David
Johnson, rh Alan
(Hull W)
Johnson, Miss Melanie
(Welwyn Hatfield)
Jones, Martyn
(Clwyd S)
Joyce, Eric
(Falkirk W)
Kaufman, rh Sir Gerald
Keen, Alan
(Feltham)
Keen, Ann
(Brentford)
Kennedy, rh Jane
(Wavertree)
Khabra, Piara S.
Kidney, David
King, Andy
(Rugby)
King, Ms Oona
(Bethnal Green & Bow)
Knight, Jim
(S Dorset)
Kumar, Dr. Ashok
Ladyman, Dr. Stephen
Lammy, David
Laxton, Bob
(Derby N)
Lazarowicz, Mark
Lepper, David
Leslie, Christopher
Levitt, Tom
(High Peak)
Lewis, Terry
(Worsley)
Liddell, rh Mrs Helen
Linton, Martin
Lloyd, Tony
(Manchester C)
Love, Andrew
Lucas, Ian
(Wrexham)
Lyons, John
(Strathkelvin)
McAvoy, rh Thomas
McCabe, Stephen
McCafferty, Chris
McDonagh, Siobhain
MacDonald, Calum
McDonnell, John
MacDougall, John
McFall, rh John
McIsaac, Shona
McKechin, Ann
McKenna, Rosemary
Mactaggart, Fiona
McWilliam, John
Mahmood, Khalid
Mallaber, Judy
Mann, John
(Bassetlaw)
Marris, Rob
(Wolverh'ton SW)
Marsden, Gordon
(Blackpool S)
Marshall, David
(Glasgow Shettleston)
Marshall-Andrews, Robert
Martlew, Eric
Meale, Alan
(Mansfield)
Merron, Gillian
Miliband, David
Mitchell, Austin
(Gt Grimsby)
Mole, Chris
Moonie, Dr. Lewis
Morgan, Julie
Mudie, George
Mullin, Chris
Munn, Ms Meg
Murphy, Denis
(Wansbeck)
Murphy, Jim
(Eastwood)
Naysmith, Dr. Doug
O'Hara, Edward
Olner, Bill
Osborne, Sandra
(Ayr)
Owen, Albert
Palmer, Dr. Nick
Pearson, Ian
Perham, Linda
Picking, Anne
Pickthall, Colin
Plaskitt, James
Pond, Chris
(Gravesham)
Pope, Greg
(Hyndburn)
Pound, Stephen
Prentice, Ms Bridget
(Lewisham E)
Prentice, Gordon
(Pendle)
Primarolo, rh Dawn
Prosser, Gwyn
Purnell, James
Rapson, Syd
(Portsmouth N)
Reed, Andy
(Loughborough)
Robertson, John
(Glasgow Anniesland)
Rooney, Terry
Ruddock, Joan
Russell, Ms Christine
(City of Chester)
Ryan, Joan
(Enfield N)
Savidge, Malcolm
Sawford, Phil
Sedgemore, Brian
Shaw, Jonathan
Sheerman, Barry
Sheridan, Jim
Short, rh Clare
Simpson, Alan
(Nottingham S)
Singh, Marsha
Skinner, Dennis
Smith, John
(Glamorgan)
Soley, Clive
Starkey, Dr. Phyllis
Steinberg, Gerry
Stewart, Ian
(Eccles)
Stinchcombe, Paul
Stoate, Dr. Howard
Strang, rh Dr. Gavin
Stringer, Graham
Stuart, Ms Gisela
Tami, Mark
(Alyn)
Taylor, rh Ann
(Dewsbury)
Taylor, David
(NW Leics)
Taylor, Dr. Richard
(Wyre F)
Thomas, Gareth
(Clwyd W)
Timms, Stephen
Tipping, Paddy
Todd, Mark
(S Derbyshire)
Touhig, Don
(Islwyn)
Trickett, Jon
Truswell, Paul
Turner, Dennis
(Wolverh'ton SE)
Turner, Dr. Desmond
(Brighton Kemptown)
Turner, Neil
(Wigan)
Twigg, Derek
(Halton)
Walley, Ms Joan
Ward, Claire
Wareing, Robert N.
Watts, David
White, Brian
Whitehead, Dr. Alan
Wicks, Malcolm
Williams, rh Alan
(Swansea W)
Wills, Michael
Wilson, rh Brian
Winterton, Ms Rosie
(Doncaster C)
Wood, Mike
(Batley)
Woolas, Phil
Wright, Anthony D.
(Gt Yarmouth)
Wright, David
(Telford)
Wright, Iain
(Hartlepool)
Wright, Tony
(Cannock)
Wyatt, Derek
Tellers for the Noes:
Margaret Moran and
Mr. Tom Watson
Question accordingly negatived.
8 Mar 2005 : Column 1468
New Clause 21