T.R.T.A. Chief Lashes Out At Tax Plan
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SUGGESTIONS by certain members of Parliament that there should be a discriminatory ton-mileage tax on Clicence vehicles were attacked last 'week by Mr. S. C. Bond,. president of the Traders Road Transport Association, when speaking at the annual dinner, of the West Midland Division of the T.R.T.A.
"My information at the moment is that this -suggestion does not command much support, but it is difficult to -say what may be going on behind the scenes. It does serve as a sharp reminder that traders must never take their right to operate their own vehicles in their business for granted," said Mr. Bond.
It would be quite deplorable, he added, if British C-licence vehicles should he so penalized.
Referring to objections against commercial vehicles, he commented: What is causing us some concern, is the apparent change in the climate of opinion, both in official and political quarters. At the moment, this is rather intangible, but there are, nevertheless, clear signs that in many quarters the
commercial vehicle, and particularly the heavy vehicle, is going to be regarded as a nuisance. I wish to place on record that we have the most excellent relations between various authorities at all levels from the Ministry of Transport downwards, and we have friendly contacts with the Parliamentary Transport Groups of both the main political parties.
"Even so, we cannot avoid the feeling that the dice are a bit loaded against us: Not only have we the Road Traffic and Roads Improvement Act, but for some time past, in the transport debates in Parliament, it has, been clear thSt the commercial vehicle operator appears to run a very poor second to the motorist.
"There is nothing very concrete to work upon at the moment, but this is disconcerting and difficult to counter. I think everyone must accept the commercial vehicle for what it is—namely, an indispensable piece of machinery without which our standards of living would fall very quickly. It is no use trying to sweep it under, the carpet by pretending that the work it does can be performed by other means of transport."