Eleventh-hour appeal
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on eight-hour day
IN an obvious reference to continued trade union opposition to tachographs, Dr John Gilbert said this week that he hoped no one would be prevented from using them voluntarily. He was addressing representatives of TGWU, URTU, NUR, RHA, FTA, NFC and the European Conference of British Bus and Coach Operators.
The meeting reaffirmed its opinion that it would be impracticable to introduce the tachograph scheme for domestic operation on January 1.
An earlier plea by Britain for a two-year deferment on tachographs and the introduction of the eight-hour day was rejected by the EEC Commission in October (CM October 24). Dr Gilbert told the meeting that he would pursue his request at the next meeting of the Commission on December 15.
If this plea again fails and Britain does not implement the law it could mean prosecution at the European Court of Justice, where we could be joined by fellow appellants Denmark •and Eire. The DoE said this week that "discussions on how the legal difficulties might be overcome are continuing."