Written question asked by Alistair Carmichael (Liberal Democrat) on Tuesday, 19 January 2010, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 25 January 2010. It was answered by Paul Clark (Labour) on Monday, 25 January 2010 on behalf of the Department for Transport.

Bus Services: Working Hours

Question: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport if he will extend the relaxation of enforcement of EU rules on drivers' hours in the Scottish Highlands and Islands to the week beginning 25 January 2010; and when he plans to make an announcement on future relaxations.

Answer: The only relaxation to the enforcement of the EU drivers' hours rules that remains in place is for the transportation of heating oil, gas oil, and liquid petroleum gas (LPG). This was extended until 23:59 hours on 25 January to cover the cold/extreme weather and enable a backlog in deliveries to be reduced.Following requests from industry, the decision was made on 25 January to extend the relaxation of the EU drivers' hours rules for the transportation of LPG only for a further week, until 23.59 on 1 February 2010. There are no relaxations for drivers' hours in other sectors. The Department for Transport is keeping the temporary arrangements under review, in consultation with the Department of Energy and Climate Change and the Scottish Executive.

Secondary information