Government and Labour jointly reject heavier lorries
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• The Government defused the potential revolt by Conservative MPs in the Commons on Wednesday by accepting an Opposition motion opposing any increase in the size and weight of lorries.
More than 90 Tory backbenchers were among 166 MPs who signed a common motion tabled by Mr Angus Maude (Conservative, Stratford) calling for the "rejection" of any proposals to raise the limits.
Many Conservatives had made it clear that the Government would be risking another embarrassing defeat if it tried to vote down a similar motion tabled by Mr Wilson and his Shadow Cabinet.
The Opposition motion asked the House to confirm that, mindful of the environment, it was "against bigger and heavier lorries".
This presented no difficulty for Mr John Peyton, Minister for Transport Industries. He was able to say this was the Government's view without being committed to rejecting whatever emerged from negotiations on the EEC proposals for a 40-tonne overall weight and an 11-tonne axle weight limit.
Mr Peyton was able to assure MPs that he would oppose the EEC proposals when he resumed talks with the Common Market -transport ministers in Brussels on December 18.
He does not believe the EEC will insist on adopting an undesirable compromise on this issue just a few days before Britain joins the Common Market and clearly anticipates that negotiations will continue after British entry.
But the unity achieved on Wednesday may not be lasting. MPs of all parties continue to add their support to Mr Maude's more strongly worded motion and a bitter clash can be expected if the decision of the EEC flouts the will of the British Parliament.
Britain will have no option but to accept the limit imposed by the EEC and Conservative MPs will be warned that they will be expected to give their loyalty and support to any agreement signed by the Government.
Mr Ronald Brown, Labour MP for Shoreditch and Finsbury, is fighting his own battle against heavy lorries. In an amendment to Mr Maude's motion he is calling attention to the damage already being inflicted on the environment as a result of lorries parking in his constituency.
He condemns the Government's unwillingness to take action to protect people living in the area and calls for prosecution of the owners of heavy goods vehicles parked on the street at night.