asked Her Majesty's Government:What types of freight transport—e.g. lorry, trailer, semi-trailer (with or without tractor unit), swap body or container of 20 feet length or more—are covered by EC Directive 92/106; andWhat freight journeys are covered by EC Directive 92/106.

As described in Article 1, the directive applies to the types of unit listed in the noble Lord's Question where they travel by road for the initial or final leg of a journey and, on the other leg, by rail, inland waterway or maritime services where the latter exceeds 100 kms. Road journeys must be to or from the nearest suitable rail terminal and road journeys to or from a seaport must not exceed 150 kms.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What plans they have for implementing EC Directive 92/106—Establishment of common rules for combined transport of goods between member states—for traffic operating in the UK for part of its journey; andWhether they consider it obligatory to implement EC Directive 92/106.

Implementation of EC Directive 92/106 is obligatory and all the articles have been implemented except Article 6. Article 6.1 can only be implemented when it is possible to carry taxed goods vehicles by rail in the UK. We do not consider it practical to implement the permissive provisions of Article 6.2 in a cost effective way.