'Best chance' in fuel row
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• Hauliers will get the chance to air their views to the parliamentary select committee for transport as part of its investigation into the state of UK haulage.
This all-party committee is being tipped as the industry's "best chance" to change government policy on the vehicle excise and fuel duty costs which are crippling UK hauliers.
The hearings start on 8 March with a final report antici pated around mid-May. Among those called to present their case will be the Road Haulage Association, Freight Transport Association and Transport & General Workers Union. The East Anglian Hauliers' Group, which claims its persistent lobbying of Mrs was the catalyst for the investigation, also hopes for a chance to speak.
While the committee's findings will come too late for the Chancellor's next Budget, chairwoman Gwyneth Dunwoody's decision to look into the UK's competitiveness against foreign hauliers will have sent a strong signal to the government.
Peter Little of Meeks Transport recently wrote to Dunwoody with his company's concerns. He Says: "At last someone seems to understand our situation, if anyone can get us a fair deal it's her."