Motor Vehicles (International Circulation) (Amendment) Order 2010

Once again, I thank the Minister for introducing the order, which I am relieved to note has been welcomed by practically every association involved in transport, such as the Road Haulage Association, the Freight Transport Association Limited and the Confederation of Passenger Transport UK which have also been involved in decisions on the adoption of these amendments to European regulations. It is clear that in the interests of ensuring that there are consistent standards across the EU on safety compliance and fair competition, the regulation of vehicles and their journeys and conditions remain essential. We believe that the standards adopted and maintained by operators in the United Kingdom are very high, but there are concerns about the number and condition of some of the vehicles arriving from the continent and leaving this country, particularly those from the new EU countries. How will the new regulations affect them when the conditions are considered to be unsatisfactory? Also of interest is the work that they undertake while they are in the process of a job—that extraordinary word "cabotage", which I presume is a mix of French and something else. It sounds like cabbage or something—very strange. In this country, can the techniques used to select UK vehicles for testing be used on foreign vehicles to ensure that they are safe and that the drivers are in a fit state to drive? Will the Minister say what progress has been made regarding the new graduated fixed financial penalty deposit and immobilisation schemes that came into being in May last year and whether we have had time to see whether they are effective in reducing non-compliance by any national vehicles on our roads? Could he also tell us whether the new amendments in the order will bring the rest of the European Union up to UK standards and that other states will raise their game to comply with them? Otherwise, as usual there is the danger of us complying with what the EU puts forward while nobody else takes it very seriously. We can then ensure that vehicles in our country are meeting those standards. Road safety issues are essential, particularly when vehicles have to be driven on a different side of the road. I think that I am right that at the ports vehicles are fitted with wing-mirror extensions to ensure that they can be driven on the road safely. I have to ask about this because there have been a number of incidents—sadly, too many—when cyclists are not seen by drivers because of the lack of vision by driving on a different side of the road. What efforts are being made under road safety standards to deal with that? Finally, does the Minister have any idea of where the cost of implementing these regulations will fall; whether that be the transport commissioners, the vehicle owners or the Government? The order was welcomed in the other place and these questions remain outstanding.