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The Department for Transport has confirmed that it has pulled the domestic version of the drivers' hours legislation from the parliamentary rosters where it was due to be debated, citing typographical issues – but it says it will look at the policy issues raised by critics.

The withdrawal of the legislation followed within hours of a so-called ‘fatal amendment’ tabled by the Earl, Lord Attlee, recommending  the lords rejected the law as it does not represent the interests in the Armed Services or recreational users. Lord Attlee fears that the Territorial Army will be unable to recruit professional drivers for weekend exercises because of the rest periods demanded by the regulations. He is also concerned that heavy truck enthusiasts will be hit by unnecessary bills for tachograph calibration and sealing.

A DfT spokesman says the issues will not be ignored.  “Of course we will look at it,” he says, although he would not commit to a timeframe. The original withdrawal of the legislation concerned a missing section and was not related to the amendment.

Lord Attlee accepts that his amendment would probably not stop the legislation passing into UK law but he will nonetheless  re-attach it if the government does not take this opportunity to revisit the issues. “If they say we can have a derogation for the Armed Forces for example I will accept that. But these are very important issues.”