Cabotage debate?
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• MPs should be given the chance to discuss the latest EEC proposals for cabotage — the creation of more freedom for international hauliers.
A House of Commons committee has urged the Govern ment to allow the debate in the Light of the European Court of Justice ruling that active consideration must be given to allowing non-resident hauliers to operate transport services within EEC states.
The Select Committee on European Affairs has also warned that the Government may have to change its attitude about its willingness to give cabotage the go-ahead.
At present, cabotage is illegal in the EEC and the main aim of the EEC proposals is to reduce the number of empty return journeys.
There are three main conditions attached: ▪ The operation would follow on from a haulage operation between two member states carried out under cover of an authorisation.
▪ It must be carried out dur
ing the return journey either to the country where it is based or to where the outward journey began; The operator must also be complying with its own national rules.
In a memorandum to the committee, the Government made clear its reservations about the feasibility of the present proposals and about the high priority it should be accorded over other moves to liberalise road transport.
In other evidence to the MPs, there were considerable reservations about the effect of the proposals on the competitive situation of domestic operators in this country and the implications for the industry and jobs.