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Road Safety Bill [HL]

My Lords, again I am grateful to noble Lords and in particular for how the noble Baroness presented her case. Italy did not get off scot free. A letter was sent to Italy indicating that its law was outwith the EU requirements. It might be thought that if all that will happen is a rap across the knuckles, the British Government should be prepared to take the same action. However, should a second infraction of that kind occur—particularly if we were the nation that did it, with our reputation for scrupulous commitment to European regulations—it is less likely that it would be regarded as acceptable. After all, the European Union would otherwise be faced with a growing accretion of each country tackling this bit by bit and not producing the European-wide perspective which it seeks to achieve. If we carried out what is required by this amendment, we do not think that we would be able to complete this process much before the European position became rationalised. In passing, let me reassure my noble friend that of course when I said ““all vehicles””, I meant it in the sense of all vehicles in every part of Europe. I was not indicating every size of vehicle. We are clearly talking about trucks. I find it a little strange that the Official Opposition are so cavalier about costs. The noble Baroness seemed to indicate that the costs were marginal—£100 per vehicle. She then costed that as a minute percentage of the total costs of the vehicle. Vehicles have to be off the road while the tape is being fitted. That cost must be taken into account. If it is suggested that it is just £100 for that alone, it is a somewhat extraordinary valuation.