Written question asked by Tom Brake (Liberal Democrat) on Wednesday, 1 July 1998, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 9 July 1998. It was answered by Glenda Jackson (Labour) on Thursday, 9 July 1998 on behalf of the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions.

Dept of the Environment Transport and the Regions

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his Answers (312 c219W, 18 May 1998; 314 c39W, 15 June 1998), if drivers of lorries engaged in international haulage are required to be in possession of a CMR, goods in transit insurance document; and what role this document will have in assisting the enforcement authorities to distinguish the origin and destination of journeys, if it is decided not to allow five axle lorries weighing 40 tonnes to operate in the domestic market. - Inc ref to 312 c219W and 314 c39W of 18 May and 15 June 1998 respectively.

Answer: Mr. Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his answers of 18 May 1998, Official Report, column 219, and 15 June 1998, Official Report, column 39, if drivers of lorries engaged in international haulage are required to be in possession of a CMR, goods in transit insurance document; and what role this document will have in assisting the enforcement authorities to distinguish the origin and destination of journeys, if it is decided not to allow five axle lorries weighing 40 tonnes to operate in the domestic market. [48944] Ms Glenda Jackson: Goods carried by road for hire or reward on international journeys to or from the UK, except between the UK and the Republic of Ireland, are covered by the Convention on the contract for the international carriage of goods by road (CMR) and are required to be accompanied by a CMR consignment note. This requirement does not apply to goods being carried by own-account operators. As indicated in my answers of 18 May and 15 June, Official Report, columns 219 and 39 respectively, enforcement issues will be taken into account when considering whether or not to allow 40 tonne lorries for domestic as well as international movements in the UK. A decision will be announced in the forthcoming White paper on Integrated Transport.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 315 c582-3W; 48944
Session: 1997-98
Subjects: Enforcement Large goods vehicles International transport Weight limits