rmitage goals
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PORTING parlance, the Transport Secretary "sold a Imy" to Shadow Minister Albert Booth during the second itage debate last week. To continue the analogy, Mr ler showed promise of scoring more points at the next ire.
bert Booth had earlier expressed surprise that he was iving more letters from his constituents opposing the iitage proposals, than he did on any other subject. As an losition Member he should have expected that.
e put down a motion opposing a 44-tonne limit. Mr Booth -3t have been encouraged by the earlier support he had 3ived from the Tory backbenches.
three-line whip would have ensured a Government ory. Norman Fowler's declaration that he would not be posing acceptance of 44-tonnes pulled the feet from under Opposition and the Government voted with them. 1ajor Armitage issues still need to be resolved and the next ure will be the vital one. But we fear it will not be played il well into next season.
is unlikely that it will take place before the House rises next nth, and equally unlikely that it will happen before Mr vier vacates the presidency of the Council of Transport listers at the EEC in December.
Iut the industry needs a decision and January 1982 should the last acceptable date.
he intervening six months will give the Minister plenty of le to study the representations he has received.
le should also use time to wince his backbench leagues of the validity of the nainder of the Armitage okage.