Peer aims to save impounding law
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by Miles Brignall • Faltering legislation to introduce the impounding of unlicensed vehicles looks to have been saved by an unlikely source, an hereditary peer.
Earlier this week, Earl Attlee, speaking in the House of Lords debate on the Government's transport white paper, announced he is to introduce a private member's bill to put impounding cowboy operators' trucks on the Statute Book.
Attlee, who is the president of the Heavy Transport Association, and has long taken an interest in the haulage industry, has taken up the cause after it became clear that it would falter for a lack of Parliamentary time. The Department of Transport had hoped to persuade an MP to introduce a private member's bill in the Commons, but none was forthcoming.
Speaking in the House yesterday (27 Jan), Attlee described to the assembled Lords the effect cowboy operators have on the industry in general and rates in particular—especially as many skimp on maintenance or allow drivers to claim benefits. "In future, when the authorities detect a vehicle being operated without an 0-licence they will be able to impound it—this will go some way to reducing unfair competition in the industry," he said.
Attlee then described the importance of the Vehicle Inspectorate's Joint Enforcement Database Initiative (JEDI), pointing out that without an up-to-date computerised list of licensed trucks, impounding was a "non-starter". He also wants to see the system changed to allow operators hiring vehicles to ring a central number to put that truck on a licence. This, he hopes, will satisfy the leasing and hire industry's fears that its vehicles could end up in VI pounds due to the actions of hirers.
Attlee believes low rates are at the root of many of the industry's problems. "The traffic clerk who got goods delivered for 65p a mile won't look so clever if they've been impounded—in future he might take a closer look at the haulier he uses."