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Hauliers uneasy over register

25th July 1975, Page 7
25th July 1975
Page 7
Page 7, 25th July 1975 — Hauliers uneasy over register
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Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

CM (pines RHA areas on Wells report

WHEN THE Road Haulage Association receives the completed questionnaires on the John Wells report from its members on Thursday the replies are likely to prove inconclusive. This week CM has tested reactions around the country, and the general feeling is that the RHA members do not have sufficient detailed information on which to base decisive answers.

In South Wales there is a clear divergence of opinion on the complete acceptance of the report although there appears to be agreement that something along its lines is required.

In a number of areas members bad not studied the questionnaire nor any of the abridged versions of the report which were available. The Eastern area appeared to want detailed discussion at every level before offering its views, and as with most other areas the membership there seems to show apprehension on the proposal for an approved register.

The concern with this aspect of the report is: How high or low will the standard be set? And who indeed will set the standards?

Many established operators around the country feel that they are in danger of becoming "second-class citizens."

From the Western area came the question: "How much will the report's implementation cost?" It was felt that a great deal of time and money still had to be expended before the report could be adopted.

The steering committee meets on Wednesday to present its report to the council, but many areas feel that the report will need to come back to area level and then back through the council to the board. "All of which," said one operator, "will take some considerable time."

In the West Midlands there was the belief that its implementation would divide the Association. "If, however, we had any sort of standard and powers of expulsion we would have very few members," was one opinion.

There was also a feeling that the standards for the approved list should be the standards for initial entry to the Association. In the East Midlands some caution was detected when a pilot scheme was suggested. "Perhaps if we could see it working in an area then we would be less dubious," CM was told. This area also thought that the intention was excellent, but that its implementation might prove difficult.

It seems that there is a readiness to accept bulk purchasing and the consultative panel proposals, but that there is less enthusiasm for cooperative working and grave doubt over the approved register. It is understood that the RHA articles of association may need to be altered if the report is finally accepted.

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Organisations: Road Haulage Association

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