YOUR EDITORIAL of September 28 completely misunderstood the situation in
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suggesting that CPT or its president, Ian Cunningham, wishes to maintain the status quo on psv/ road service licensing. The Confederation has for several years — virtually since its inception — been urging relaxation and streamlining of the licensing system. This has been reported in CM.
To attack specific proposals which are seen to be contrary to the public interest and the overall interests of members is not defending the status quo. Indeed, CPT considers that some of the Minister's proposals for quality control do not go far enough. The industry welcomes new blood, but it wants good blood, not inferior stuff, nor backdoor DIY transport with lower safety standards.
CPT has clearly accepted "relaxation" of service licensing, which was the Government's promise in its election manifesto. It opposes dismantling of the licensing system, which is quite another thing.
To disagree again with your editorial, a free-enterprise society must certainly control the supply of many services. Do we want six to seven each of gas, water and electricity mains down every street — to be dug up every week; or to abolish all planning permission for land use?
Finally, Mr Cunningham made it clear that CPT was considering the generality of its membership and that the longestablished or major operators need not fear competition. As he said: "The market favours the strong." Operators would inevitably act commercially — speculatively — to the detriment of poorer routes, off-peak services and their weaker brethren. DENIS QUIN, CPT, London WC2.