Govt silence attacked
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SHADOW spokesman for Transport, Mr Norman Fowler MP, hit out on Tuesday at the "extraordinary silence" which has been maintained by the Government since the EEC Commission announced its changes to the hours regulations.
He told a Transport Association luncheon that reaction to the amendments had been immediate and hostile from the passenger transport industry and hauliers.
"Yet in Parliament today the UnderSecretary, Mr Marks, has refused to give any information on changes and also refused to comment on them."
Mr Fowler said that if the Brussels public relations machinery was to be believed big concessions were being offered. But as far as Britain was concerned such claims were nonsense.
"The only real change is that vehicles can now go unlimited mileage provided they have a tachograph. Some concession!"
The hours regulations would still have the effect of pushing up prices, increasing fares and jeopardising services.
To meet the requirements for rest periods bus services would have to be cut, and the hardest hit would be in rural areas.
"The requirements for a continuous 40-hour rest period will mean that weekend overtime will be stopped."