The load factor may be dropping, but convictions for overloading
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are not. At any rate, the Licensing Authorities don't think so.
"And the proposed strike ould shut the door altogether," ;aid.
"It is the probable effect which iould attract the unions," said romwell. "Applicants unable to et their licences would cornlain. The publicity would then how what a difference it makes then some civil servants withraw their labour."
"A point not always easy to rove," I said, "As might happen in the case f enforcement, or so the lenchley sub-area maintains," aid Cromwell. "Enforcement is itended to improve road safety. 'a strike by the officers made no ifference, perhaps some of iem could be dispensed with."
"A conclusion not worth striklg for," I said. "But after all the lost likely target for the unions would be the staff at the International Road Freight Office. There would be no permits and an immediate crisis."
"That would not worry the Stench ley sub-area," said Cromwell.
"No doubt they get their permits from some other source," I said.
"Let me put it this way," said Cromwell. "They have taken to heart Junior Minister Kenneth Clarke's statement that strict quotas fly in the face of Community principles and deliberately obstruct free trade between member states."
"I am sure also," I said, "that the sub-area would support the Government's plan to dispense with 2,500 civil servants who collect and process statistics."
"Which mainly seem to be used against operators, as CALM has demonstrated," said Cromwell.
"And in addition," I said, "the sub-area would like to contribute to the investigation by the Confederation of British Industry into wasteful public sector spending and inefficiency."
"It has been noted," said Cromwell. "The CBI's Sir Terence Beckett has calculated an increase of 2m in Government jobs between 1970 and 1980 The Stenchley sub-area reckon! that all 2m are in the Departmen of Transport."
"There can't be much hope fo relief there," I said, "and the De partment is not all to blame Every piece of legislation, ever committee or inquiry reporl creates a requirement for mon staff."
"There is also Parkinson' Law," said Cromwell. "The mon road planners we have, th, fewer roads are built. The fewe the permits available, the mor people are needed to decid who shall have them."
"Opinion is not all one way," said. "For example, the RHA ha suggested that the Transport DE partment should take over fror the GLC the construction and ac ministration of London's trun road system. This would mea extra staff, and justifiably."
"But in general the RHA take the CBI line," said Cromwel "Ken Rogers, RHA chairmar has called for what he describe as 'accelerated de-manning' i the public sector."
"It sounds a drastic way dealing with the surplus populz tion," I said.
"And a considerable sacrific to make for an index-linked per sion," said Cromwell.