Surprising omission
Page 29
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YOUR FEATURE "Don't be caught on the Continent" (CM, June 1, 1979) contains a surprising omission in that it does not mention the assistance available from trade associa tions. Both ourselves and the RHA have been issuing TIR Carnets for 18 years, publish operational details and give free advice to members.
In addition, FTA international members receive a regular monthly International Service Bulletin which also updates the FTA International Services Manual covering the whole of Europe and the Middle East and which is geared specifically to the needs of the British operator, whether own account or hire and reward.
Telephone and telex contact with the International Road Transport Union and our sister organisations abroad enables answers to day-by-day problems to be obtained rapidly. Following our merger with the British Shippers' Council earlier this year, our advisory service extends to all modes and movements to and from all continents.
Incidentally, you state in your final paragraph on page 22 that a British vehicle entering Luxembourg must have a permit. This is not correct. The UK has had an arrangement with Luxembourg since 1975 and no permits are required (see DOE Press Notice No 36, January 14, '1975 and Your Lorry Abroad).
R. M. CASTLE,
Freight Transport Association, Tunbridge Wells, Kent
CM frequently has articles detailing the significant advantages for an operator to belong either to the FTA or RHA as appropriate, but the fact remains that the vast majority belong to neither.
What percentage of operators taking goods abroad belong to a trade association we have no way of knowing. However, this article was intended as useful additional knowledge to those who have already made their permit arrangements.
Mr Castle is correct in saying no permit is needed by a British operator entering Luxembourg. The regretted. error arose ?rain -0;,"; author's mis-interpretation vi Luxembourg Minister's statement that "Foreign carriers wishing to make transports, the departure and arrival being situated inside Luxembourg, must obtain a licence". — Editor.