No, no, no to Leber
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• The European COmtnission has pulled no punches in telling the German Government that it should go back on its pro-railway Leber plan.
It says the German Government should not introduce the special tax on goods transport by road; not reserve the transport of heavy goods for the railways alone; and not introduce obligatory rate arrangements over the German stretch of international traffic on the Rhine.
These provisions, urges the Commission, are incompatible with the aims of the Common Market and should be replaced by tariff arrangements and measures designed to increase the competitiveness of the German railways. Greater commercial liberty for the railways would be in conformity with the play of market forces.
At its meeting this month the European Commission also presented to the Council of Ministers two proposals concerning the abolition of double taxation on vehicles for international goods transport and the Customs exemption for a quantity of motor fuel contained in the tanks of international transport lorries. Replacing the 1966 proposal for Customs exemption of 200 litres, the new proposal provides for a gradual solution commencing with a minimum of 50 litres