Good for nothing
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THE PROPOSAL by a group of British Conservative Euro MPs to scrap bi-lateral permits should be strongly supported by the industry. This has been our view for many years.
Road permits are a blockage on free trade and an obstacle to a common transport policy in Europe. Their administration is time consuming, they are a source of income to disreputable operators and they create enforcement problems, but, above all, they serve no useful purpose.
The intention of the road haulage permit scheme is plainly to ensure that the maximum amount of European traffic travels on long haul by rail. If Labour's transport policy is ever implemented in Great Britain, a similar system will apply, thus giving the rail unions even stronger industrial muscle than they have at present.
Department of Transport officials have never concealed their dislike for the permit system, even though it gives them the chance to travel regularly over the Channel to negotiate with their counterparts in the EEC.
The system effectively stops expansion of transport companies in this country. It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a new operator to enter Europe.
In the interests of a healthy European road transport industry, we strongly support the abolition of the system. We urge operators, their associations and the transport trades unions to add their support.