COURT THREAT OVER TACHOS
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BRITAIN'S answer to the EEC's "reasoned opinion" on our failure to implement tachograph regulation 1463/70 was due to be considered by the Council of Ministers yesterday.
The "reasoned opinion" required Britain to implement the rules within two months of the opinion being delivered — and that has now expired.
Transport Minister William Rodgers has replied to the opinion asking that the regulation be waived and pleading that as an island we THERE will not be a Don Safety Trophy for 1977 as none of the entries meets the standards required by the judges.
A spokesman for Don International said "the panel looks for something which meets more than the minimum legislative standards on safety and which represents an innovation in the field."
The company regretted that it could not award a trophy, but was glad that the trophy's integrity has been preserved, thus .,maintaining its position as one of the top motor industry awards. are a special case, as we have no common borders with other countries.
But this week it was understood that officials at the Department of Transport were pessimistic about the chances of success.
They anticipate a thumbsdown from Brussels in the near future, and an instruction to comply with the rule and fit tachos to all vehicles over 3.5 tonnes unladen.
And the instruction will be coupled with a threat that Britain will be reported to the European court at Luxembourg if we do not comply with the rules.
Last week a DTp spokesman told CM that he anticipated that Britain would be called before the court next spring. It is hoped that by then the main objections to the tacho will have been overcome.
A third appearance in the dock of the European Court is seen as a certainty, as Britain has now been in open defiance of the rules demanding the introduction of tachos for two years.