Community quota discussions in Brussels
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From a Continental correspondent
• When the EEC Council of Ministers meets in Brussels next Monday and Tuesday the contentious question of lorry weights and sizes is likely to be set aside until Britain, Ireland and Denmark are full Community members. This is the general opinion of Continental observers, who believe that the reconstitution of the Commission in the New Year may lead to a more flexible approach to the whole subject.
The Six are particularly anxious to get a fully agreed settlement without vetoes, as there is a growing recognition that whatever weights and sizes are decided for 1980 will have to remain in force for a very long time, Next week's meeting is likely, however, to come up with decisions on the EEC haulage permit quota and forked rates. New members are expected to be given until January 1 1974 to negotiate and implement international haulage rates with all other members countries.
Britain will almost certainly get her share of the "go-anywhere" haulage permits before then, and is expected to insist on parity with other major EEC members.
The UK is known to be reluctant to introduce the compulsory tariffs, and existing EEC members expect to face some sceptical questioning about enforcement.
Resignation accepted
• The Minister for Transport Industries has now accepted the resignation of the Western Licensing Authority. It will take effect next February, and Mr J.R.C. Samuel Gibbon has agreed to stay on until his successor has been appointed.