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20th May 1999, Page 30
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industry deserve a pat on the back, or a dressing down? Drop us a line at Commercial Motor, Room H203, Quadrant House, The Quadrant, Sutton, Surrey SM2 5AS or fax us on 0181 652 8969. Alternatively you can e-mail us on Miles.Brignall®rbi.co.uk.

RAW DEAL

I am writing with regards to the recent increase in diesel fuel and excise duty imposed an vans and lorries at the last Budget.

I am absolutely appalled and disappointed at our Government's inability to balance the books and get it right yet again. We are being penalised and hit hard, and all we want to do is earn an honest, comfortable living consistent with the long hours that our jobs demand from today's society.

The whole idea of the European Union in my own opinion is to bring in harmonisation between the member countries under one banner/ umbrella, while retaining our own identity and culture.

But clearly this is not the case, as we are being pick

pocketed by the Government yet again. European integration is not working for us when the price of fuel in the UK is the highest in Europe. For example, the price of diesel fuel in France is 43.2p/lit, against a UK price of 73.9p/lit—a difference of 30.7p, or nearly 50%. Is this fair, especially for an oil-producing nation with many North Sea oil platforms in operation?

The Government should act now and substantially cut the costs of fuel to bring it into line with other EU countries and impose a road toll scheme for all foreign-registered vehicles entering the UK.

This would be a fair scheme that would work as follows: • All foreign-registered vehicles entering the UK at any port of entry pay a road tax fee. A special sticker with a serial number is fixed to the windscreen that is not transferable. The serial number is then entered into a computer, along with the vehicle's registration number for cross reference. This would now enable the vehicle to use our roads for a period of 12 months. The scheme is similar to that currenty operated in Switzerland and the Czech Republic.

• Severe penalties would be imposed for non-compliance to deter dodgers.

• The scheme would also recover last revenue on foreignregistered vehicles being in the UK on a permanent basis without paying UK excise duty.

It is very unfair that we British travelling abroad in a motorised vehicle have to pay for the use of motorways. For example, in France, Italy and Spain drivers can fill their tanks on much cheaper fuel before entering the UK, pollute our environment on cheap fuel and use Our motorways for free. This is wrong and it is about time the Government woke up!

Why should the British motoring public subsidise cheap or even free travel for foreigners?

Adopting this system would enable Gordon Brown to recover some of the extra revenue required for his latest Budget and enable us British drivers to retain our jobs, and compete fairly with our own people arid our European colleagues.

I am in strong support of the truck drivers' protest and hope justice will be served soon, and that car drivers wW support tern or even join the protest. Michael Petryszyn, Horsham, West Sussex.

Tags

Organisations: European Union
Locations: Surrey

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