Written question asked by Lord Goodman of Wycombe (Conservative) on Tuesday, 2 March 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 9 March 2004. It was answered by Alun Michael (Labour) on Tuesday, 9 March 2004 on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Dept for Environment Food and Rural Affairs

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what plans she has to ban electric shopping scooters from rights of way; and if she will make a statement. - Inc ref to section 34 of the Road Traffic Act 1988, Invalid Carriages on Highways Regulations 1988 and the Chronically Sick and Disabled Person Act 1970.

Answer: Mr. Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans she has to ban electric shopping scooters from rights of way; and if she will make a statement. [159258] Alun Michael: We have no plans to ban electric shopping scooters. Section 34 of the Road Traffic Act 1988 provides that anyone driving a mechanically propelled vehicle off-road or on a road that is a footpath, bridleway or restricted byway without lawful authority is guilty of an offence. However, where an invalid carriage is being used in accordance with the Use of Invalid Carriages on Highways Regulations 1988, section 20(1)(b) of the Chronically Sick and Disabled Person Act 1970 provides an exemption for such vehicles. It specifically excludes the section 34 offences from applying to invalid carriages.

Secondary information