Govt's decision wrecks EEC harmonisation
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BRITAIN'S choice of 38 tonnes had a bombshell effect in Brussels where officials were hoping to get agreement on their 40 tonnes plan at the December meeting of EEC Transport Ministers, reports our Brussels correspondent. In months of talks behind. the
scenes the EEC Commission had reached the point where only Italy insisted on sticking to its 44 tonne limit.
All the others, claimed Brussels, might have been ready to go up or down to 40 tonnes — even the Netherlands, providing special arrangements could be made for their container traffic.
Now the Commission sees no immediate chance of agreement on a harmonised lorry weight in the EEC either on 38 or 40 tonnes.
The current situation on maximum weights is 32.5 tonnes — Britain and Ireland (Ireland was waiting for Britain); 40 tonnes — France, West Germany, Belgium, Luxembourg and Greece; 44 tonnes Italy and Denmark; 50 tonnes — Netherlands.
One senior EEC official told CM: "We have no plans at present to withdraw our 40 tonnes proposal. We still think it's the best solution. We will still work towards an agreement on 40 tonnes. The British choice of 38 tonnes is only a setback."