To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what discussions he has had with the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe and (b) the European Commission in the last 12 months on rules to require retro-reflective tape to be placed on the side of heavy goods vehicles around the outer edge to aid night time visibility. (227134)

Following European and wider negotiations undertaken some time ago, we agreed to introduce new retro-reflective markings requirements for new trucks exceeding 7.5 tonnes gross vehicle weight (GVW) and new trailers exceeding 3.5 tonnes GVW by 10 October 2009. Our research shows that marking these vehicle types is the most cost effective approach. Implementation will be via our national lighting regulations and no further discussions with UN-ECE and European counterparts are planned.