Bodywork problems and the EEC
Page 28
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I REFER to Mr Bogaert's letter (CM April 12) under the title "Want to buy a dead body?" It would appear that Mr Bogaert has been most unfortunate with the bodywork supplied by his "friendly supplier".
However, I cannot believe that this is the reason for his vehicle being refused entry into Holland and Germany. Both of these states are members of the EEC and they have no power to ask for TIR approved vehicles or TIR carnets, provided that the vehicle is moving within the nine Member States. We have many member companies who take goons regularly to the Continent in non TIR vehicles without difficulty.
People are often under the misapprehension that TIR approval and carnets are a passport" to international transport — they are not. TIR is a Customs procedure and gives no right of access for British vehicles into other countries' territories. This only comes about because of Road Traffic Conventions and the bilateral agreements which the Department of Transport has negotiated over the last 14 years.
I therefore, feel that Mr Bogaert's problems lie else• where than with his "non TIP tilt-type dead body"!
R. M. CASTLE Freight Transport Association Tunbridge Wells, Kent