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148 
RON DOUGLAS, Beaconsfield, Bucks.
Page 93
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In reading a report (CM, May 19) on the successful applicants for the Design Council British Motor Industry Awards, I was interested to see the award made to the Jumbo Legs by Merriworth Trailers.
Anyone who has been around the road transport scene for the last 15 years will know that the idea of retractable legs surfaces every five years and is not in any way original. To my certain knowledge York Trailers made an identical design five years ago and my own company, King Truck Equipment, built 15 units to this design between 1968 and 1975 and did not think it was in any way original, having seen the idea elsewhere.
One wonders how a design judge panel chaired by that excellent BBC personality, Raymond Baxter, was surprised that no one had thought of the idea before. The panel of judges for 1979 is remarkable for a complete absence of anyone from the road haulage or major vehicle users' industry.
I would suggest that as the SMART is jointly sponsoring these awards it would at least make certain that the innovation and the originality are encouraged so that the awards could continue to be taken seriously by the industry. It can only do this if the awards are seen to be for genuine and practical function and the judges know the industry thoroughly.
M. G. CANNING, King Truck Equipment Ltd, Market Harborough, Leics