. . but R.H.A. Favours It
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W HETHER or not this country joins
• the European Economic Community we look forward to an expansion of trade between the continent of Europe and the United Kingdom, resulting in increased movement of goods," said Mr. J. B. Mitchell, national chairman of the Road Haulage Association, when he proposed the toast of H.M. Government at the Association's annual luncheon on Wednesday.
Remarking that with the agreement of Britain and France a road or rail link could be provided, Mr. Mitchell said he understood that progress was being made to the extent that only two proposals remained for the two governments to consider: one, a completely rail tunnel, and the other a comprehensive bridge to carry road, pipelines,, cables and railways. "If this is the case the Road Haulage Association can no longer remain neutral on its choice between bridge and tunnel, and must strongly urge the Government to decide this matter after settling the political and legal points, if that be possible, on the lasting usefulness of such a project. If there remain only these two alternatives. this Association must strongly support the construction of the bridge."
Saying that he welcomed the opportunity to assure the Minister of Transport that, although they had some doubts and reservations about some things in both the Transport and Road Traffic Bills. they believed he was on the right lines. Mr. Mitchell said they were especially glad to have such a man as Mr. Marples in such a position now; at the present time there were great opportunities for the road haulage industry, but there could also be dangers from an adminis
a26 tration that might be frightened or hoodwinked into imposing restrictions on road transport for completely specious reasons.
In these times the Minister must take not merely the national but also the international view, said Mr. Mitchell, but he does not forget that our own problems are often on the scale of a small business or perhaps even a single vehicle. That single vehicle is the unit by means of which our road haulage industry is built up, and the use we make of it determines 'our fortunes."
From the Government's point of view it was also a highly profitable machine: a busy trunk service vehicle which might average 1,000 miles a week at 10 miles to the gallon was contributing about £700 a year in fuel tax alone, to which perhaps £120 had to be added for licence duties. Other odds and ends might bring the total up to £1,000. Such a vehicle, said Mr. Mitchell, had to earn this amount for the Government before it earned a penny for its owner.