French Transport Users on E.E.C. Action Programme
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FROM A SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT
THAT the E.E.C. Commission's common transport policy action programme should be conceived in terms of the economy generally is one of the opinions which emerges from' observations made on the programme by the French National Conference of Transport Users (C.N.U.T.).
Using special measures to adjust transport supply to demand, which would make it impossible to eliminate some of the quantity restrictions, is only acceptable to C.N.U.T. on an interim basis. It is felt that this adjustment should be thought out in a wider 'context to meet the increased requirements of the users, at the same time leaving room for competition to play its part, so that there would not be an artificially high level for freight.
The liberation measures planned by the Commission in opening up the transport market are supported, but reservations are held about the procedure for control of capacity, which is based on the permanent study of the road transport market situation.
In the opinion of the C.N.U.T.. the freedom given to firms to set prices freely within the limits of the forked tariffs does not make sense unless the " fork " offers an adequate opening which allows for cost differences and the effects of competition, it is felt that the establishment of fixed rates on an international scale should not be deferred until 1966. Furthermore, specialized transport should be subject to systems which, as far as possible, should exclude quota and even rate restrictions.
C.N.U.T. feels that harmonization should only deal with matters which have direct effects on transport, such as fuel tax; the arrangements for this should be speeded up. On a possible agreement between the Member States on road vehicle weights and dimensions, C.N.U.T. insists that this should not end up as an alignment on the most restrictive terms.
Any tendency to subject pipelines to a co-ordinating regulation is opposed. In C.N.U.T.'s opinion, it would be useless to go any further than certain harmonization measures relating to sifety or the rules relating to installation.
Insurance for Radioactive Materials Transport
PRIVATE insurance will be able, within certain limits, to cover the transportation of radioactive materials on the Continent. This has been decided after an intensive study by E.E.C. nuclear and insurance experts. However, one " risk " of this type of transport will not be covered by the insurance companies; that of damage caused to the vehicle by the actual nuclear matter being carried.
It is expected that the first time when radioactive nuclear fuels will be transported to retreatment plants will be in October.
Hasten E.E.C. Costing
ASPEEDING up of the studies into
transport costing, especially in respect of infrastructure costs, has been called for by the European railways in a memorandum to the E.E.C. Commission and Ministers of Transport.