First past the post
Page 25
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Ifil he honour of driving the first British lorry through Calais without papers after the stroke of midnight, 31 December will fall to Kent haulier, Laser Transport International of Lympne, near Hythe.
The vehicle will be seen off on its historic journey by champagne guzzling " Euro-VIPs at a party marking the dawn of the European Single Market. Gone will be the the T2 forms, the long queues for customs checks and the red and green channels.
Laser's vehicle will be carried on P&O's new ferry the Pride of Kent. The partygoers on board will include 300 members of the Kangaroo Group, pro-European politicians and businessmen who spurred the creation of the market.
Among them will be Kent East MEP Christopher Jackson, who says he would like the honour of driving the first British lorry off the ferry at Calais. "But as I
don't have an LGV licence, this may be a problem," he admits.
After a firework ceremony, which will evidently include the spectacle of a fizzing French customs post, the generously refreshed Kangaroo Group intend to hop back to Dover for a second New Year party made possible by a small oversight in harmonisation. Britain is still one hour behind the Continent.
by the Hawk