MacGregor in at the Dip
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• John Major's decision to appoint the ninth Tory Transport Secretary in 13 years has been condemned by the Road Haulage Association.
John MacGregor, 55, was transferred from the post of Leader of the House in last weekend's Cabinet reshuffle. He succeeds Malcolm Rifkind, who moves to Defence after less than 18 months at Marsham Street.
He will be joined by Kenneth Carlisle and Steven Norris as junior ministers. Previous incumbent Christopher Chope lost his Southampton Itchen seat to Labour in the election.
The RHA says working with a rapidly changing series of ministers presents problems when it comes to pressing the industry's case: "Once again, we have to go through the process of bringing both MacGregor and Chope's successor into the job," it says. "We're losing out again when it comes to continuity of leadership."
The Transport portfolio is of ten criticised by trade associations as being a stepping stone to greater things for its holder —or a last post before being dropped from Government.
John MacGregor, MP for the safe seat of Norfolk South, is seen in his party as a right-winger, but a pragmatist. He is a firm believer in small business; something that hauliers may feel bodes well when it comes to having sympathy for their industry. As Industry Minister in 1981 he introduced several schemes offering support for fledgling enterprises. And as Agriculture Minister in 1988 he pushed through a E20m emergency aid package for poultry farmers threatened with ruin after the salmonella in eggs scare.
MacGregor was Education Secretary and Chief Secretary to the Treasury under Margaret Thatcher. He has been an MP for 18 years.
One of his first tasks will be to chair transport sessions when Britain takes over the presidency of the Council of Ministers in July.
Among the issues to be hammered out, as Europe fast approaches the single market, are cabotage, diesel and vehicle excise duty harmonisation and higher lorry weights.