COMMENT
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Is it time to climb?
It may make sense to force drivers to check their vehicles thoroughly for illegal immigrants before entering Britain, but the proposed list of checks outlined in the government's consultation paper is simply daft.
Apart from the inevitable stream of paper needed to conform to the code, the requirement to check vehicle roofs for signs of entry may be in direct contravention of health and safety legislation, which specifically requires employers to avoid knowingly placing employees in dangerous situations.
Only proper inspection facilities can get around this—but who will pay for the construction and running of these, given that they will need to be established outside Britain?
CM urges all readers involved in international operations to contact the Home Office before next Tuesday's deadline to make their feelings clear. Write to: UK Immigration Service Headquarters, Strategy Team, Status 2, Status Park, 6 Nobel Drive, Harlington, Middx UB3 5EY, or fax them on oi81 745 6566.
• The great test case for partial flagging out, brought by the VI against Tayside-based A&H Kydd, has fallen flat with the news that Kydd has pleaded guilty to using a vehicle without a current tax disc.
While Kydd's decision is entirely understandable, given his position as a small haulier with limited finances, this leaves the whole question of the legality of partial flagging out unresolved. So another test case will have to be brought before the haulage community is given clear guidance as to whether registering vehides abroad while keeping them on a UK 0-licence is acceptable. Let's hope next time the VI will pick on someone with the resources to take a case all the way..