Given that we know where the Italians stand and where we stand, it would be helpful to know the intention of other European countries. Are they all in favour of the measure, or will they try to delay it?

Given that we know where the Italians stand and where we stand, it would be helpful to know the intention of other European countries. Are they all in favour of the measure, or will they try to delay it?

Is not the Minister a victim of better-not-Minister syndrome? Has not some civil servant said to him, ““Better not do this, Minister. Better leave it as it is.””? Is it not time that the Minister said, ““Let’s do it,”” because, in the end, the measure would not do any harm,...

Is not the Minister a victim of better-not-Minister syndrome? Has not some civil servant said to him, ““Better not do this, Minister. Better leave it as it is.””? Is it not time that the Minister said, ““Let’s do it,”” because, in the end, the measure would not do any harm,...

Will the Minister therefore explain why the e-mail from the European Commission also says that"““the Commission services have not received to date any complaints concerning the Italian legislation in question””?"

Will the Minister therefore explain why the e-mail from the European Commission also says that"““the Commission services have not received to date any complaints concerning the Italian legislation in question””?"

Will the Minister give way?

Will the Minister give way?

It would be nice to have clarity on this point. During the last discussion, the House was quaking in its boots at the risk of UN action and of EC infraction proceedings, and we were told that the Italians were going into the ring with the EU. We now know...

It would be nice to have clarity on this point. During the last discussion, the House was quaking in its boots at the risk of UN action and of EC infraction proceedings, and we were told that the Italians were going into the ring with the EU. We now know...

This is most helpful and we are obviously making progress. So just to tape it up finally, does my hon. Friend honestly think that if we pass this measure tonight and put the tape on the trucks, any action whatsoever will be taken against us, or anybody else? Would we...

This is most helpful and we are obviously making progress. So just to tape it up finally, does my hon. Friend honestly think that if we pass this measure tonight and put the tape on the trucks, any action whatsoever will be taken against us, or anybody else? Would we...

Even if the European Commission decided to take action against the United Kingdom, is it not the case that, by the time that the action got to the court, the EU would have moved anyway and changed the rules?

Even if the European Commission decided to take action against the United Kingdom, is it not the case that, by the time that the action got to the court, the EU would have moved anyway and changed the rules?

That is probably a very pertinent point and my hon. Friend speaks with more knowledge than I do, having sat in the European Parliament. My point is simple. The measure is intended by UN legislation that goes back several years, it is intended by European legislation, a member state has...

That is probably a very pertinent point and my hon. Friend speaks with more knowledge than I do, having sat in the European Parliament. My point is simple. The measure is intended by UN legislation that goes back several years, it is intended by European legislation, a member state has...

We are making glacial progress on this extraordinary issue. We are talking about £100-worth of sticky tape going on to trucks, which would have a dramatic impact. There is complete unanimity on the benefit of this measure and the urgency of the need for it. The most recent Department for...

We are making glacial progress on this extraordinary issue. We are talking about £100-worth of sticky tape going on to trucks, which would have a dramatic impact. There is complete unanimity on the benefit of this measure and the urgency of the need for it. The most recent Department for...

There is a difference between a treaty being broken and regulations in this country that merely require UK-registered vehicles to have reflective tape fitted to them in the interest of road safety. Surely we can make some progress here.

There is a difference between a treaty being broken and regulations in this country that merely require UK-registered vehicles to have reflective tape fitted to them in the interest of road safety. Surely we can make some progress here.

Will my hon. Friend give way on that point?

Will my hon. Friend give way on that point?

I shall give way to my hon. Friend in the hope that he can convince me that my confusion can be put to rest.

I shall give way to my hon. Friend in the hope that he can convince me that my confusion can be put to rest.

I apologise for the fact that the issue is back before us once again, but I thank the Minister for sending me the letter that was mentioned by the hon. Member for North Shropshire (Mr. Paterson) on several occasions. I agree with the Minister when he says at the start...

I apologise for the fact that the issue is back before us once again, but I thank the Minister for sending me the letter that was mentioned by the hon. Member for North Shropshire (Mr. Paterson) on several occasions. I agree with the Minister when he says at the start...

Does the hon. Gentleman agree that, as the Minister has admitted that there is uncertainty in this matter and that it is somewhat opaque, the best way forward is to try to make the situation certain by enacting this measure? We shall soon see one of two things. The Commission...

Does the hon. Gentleman agree that, as the Minister has admitted that there is uncertainty in this matter and that it is somewhat opaque, the best way forward is to try to make the situation certain by enacting this measure? We shall soon see one of two things. The Commission...

I understand what my hon. Friend has just said—

I understand what my hon. Friend has just said—

When?

When?

And I hear the question from the Opposition. That is my question, too: when? The notion of 2010, when we are potentially taking an action against the Italians for introducing the measure already, does not really give a great deal of confidence that somebody else could not try to derail...

And I hear the question from the Opposition. That is my question, too: when? The notion of 2010, when we are potentially taking an action against the Italians for introducing the measure already, does not really give a great deal of confidence that somebody else could not try to derail...

I beg to move, That this House does not insist on Commons amendment No. 1

I beg to move, That this House does not insist on Commons amendment No. 1

With the leave of the House, Mr. Deputy Speaker. I am struggling to find new ways of saying what I think I have said at least 40 times before. I believe that the legal position is quite clear. An amendment to UNECE regulation 48 to mandate fitting the tape to...

With the leave of the House, Mr. Deputy Speaker. I am struggling to find new ways of saying what I think I have said at least 40 times before. I believe that the legal position is quite clear. An amendment to UNECE regulation 48 to mandate fitting the tape to...

I would like to probe that point a little further. The Minister said that he did not want clause 16, or the two Lords amendments to it, in the Bill. His words were that he preferred to rely on the existing legal mechanisms. Is he saying that if we agree...

I would like to probe that point a little further. The Minister said that he did not want clause 16, or the two Lords amendments to it, in the Bill. His words were that he preferred to rely on the existing legal mechanisms. Is he saying that if we agree...