Four-year delay on eight-hour day
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Surprise EEC move on drivers hours regs
TEN HOURS' driving a day will stay as the legal maximum in Britain for the next four years if plans being drawn up by the European Commission get the go-ahead.
In a surprise move, which has " delighted " the Department of the Environment, the Commission has proposed building a safeguard clause into the notorious EEC social regulation 543/69.
This clause would mean that Britain could apply for a fouryear deferment to bring in the eight-hour day required under 543/69—and that would give hauliers a chance to gradually phase in the hours cut.
The regulation stipulates an eight-hour driving day both nationally and internationally in all member States. It came into force in the original Six in 1970 and for the three new member States, for international journeys only, in April 1973.
On January 1 the UK, Ireland and Denmark were to apply the regulation to national trips as well. But Britain applied for a deferment and this will run out on June 30 this year.
This deferment was granted under article 135 of the Accession Treaty—a clause in case of serious difficulties in implementation of regulations—but it was unlikely that Britain could have got away with using this clause again.
At a recent meeting between the Commission and both sides of industry it became clear that there is a lot of discontent in most member States about 543/69.
British representatives talked about the need for a protracted period during which they could adjust to the new drivers' hours. Both unions and employers were talking in terms of four years as a reasonable breathing space.
Proposals for a revised regulation incorporating this idea and a further range of amendments (CM February 13) will go before the Commission meeting next Wednesday (March 3). It will then be discussed in Council working groups before being include( in the agenda for a Council o: Ministers meeting.
Transport Ministers are du( to meet sometime in June. I: agreed by them the safeguar( clause would come into forc( on July 1 and Britain coulc then seek the four-year defer ment.