asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Answer by Lord Bassam of Brighton on 22 April, when the new cross border enforcement of traffic offences will come into effect for lorries. [HL3197]

The Department for Transport is working hard to ensure the provisions that will enable on-the-spot financial penalties to be issued to non-UK offenders will be introduced as soon as practicable. This is likely to mean spring 2009 because significant operational detail has yet to be settled, and a number of detailed statutory instruments have yet to be made.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the answer by Lord Bassam of Brighton on 22 April, what penalties will be imposed on lorries in respect of: (a) on-the-spot fines, and (b) impounding of vehicles; and whether these penalties reflect the competitive advantage gained by the breaches of the law by lorry drivers. [HL3198]

There will be a further consultation on these details later this year.

In broad terms, non-UK-resident offenders will be required to pay a financial deposit on-the-spot which is equivalent to the level of fixed penalty for the offence, subject to a maximum of £300 where an offence is to be prosecuted in court. These penalty levels are consistent with the existing fixed penalty law and compatible with the average levels of relevant court fines.

Non-compliant vehicles will be liable to be immobilised, as they will be in any case where a driver fails to pay a requested deposit.