Written question asked by David Kidney (Labour) on Tuesday, 11 December 2007, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 13 December 2007. It was answered by Jim Fitzpatrick (Labour) on Monday, 17 December 2007 on behalf of the Department for Transport.

Freight: Roads

Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he plans to introduce a cabotage scheme for UK road use by overseas freight operators.

Answer: I have been asked to reply.Cabotage by EU hauliers in the UK is currently allowed under EU law provided operations are conducted on a temporary basis. The Department for Transport published a statement on its website in August 2006 which provides further details.The Department is currently consulting on a package of three proposed EU road transport Regulations published by the European Commission in May 2007, one of which proposes a new definition of cabotage. The consultation period closes on 29 February 2008. The Consultation Document is available at:"http://www.dft.gov.uk/consultations/open/euroadtransportproposals/."

Secondary information