Written question asked by Andrew Welsh (Scottish National Party) on Wednesday, 6 December 2000, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 14 December 2000. It was answered by Keith Hill (Labour) on Thursday, 14 December 2000 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, which EU regulation stipulates that the national identification symbol on number plates must be that of the member state.

Answer: Mr. Welsh: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions which EU regulation stipulates that the national identification symbol on number plates must be that of the member state. [141518] Mr. Hill: Council Regulation (EC) No. 2411/98 of 3 November 1998 provides for the recognition of specified distinguishing signs on number plates as an alternative to the requirements set out in Annex 3 to the Vienna Convention of 1968. The Regulation defines the distinguishing sign as a set of one to three letters indicating the member state in which the vehicle is registered. The use of such signs on number plates for vehicles registered in the United Kingdom will be voluntary.

Secondary information