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28th January 1972
Page 31
Page 31, 28th January 1972 — letters
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Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

We welcome letters for publication on transport topics. Address them to Commercial Motor, Dorset House, Stamford Street, London SEl.

Institute of (HG V) Driving Instructors We notice that in recent editions of Commercial Motor organizations of hgv instructors have been publicized. As we feel that CM seeks to promote progress throughout the transport industry, could we inform our colleagues that the Institute of (HGV) Driving Instructors, North-Western Area, has been formed and a suitable constitution embraced. The primary aim of the Institute is to cultivate the highest standards of ability and conduct of all concerned.

The last meeting of the Institute was attended by some 35 hgv instructors representing 12 group training associations and others. The chairman, Mr C. D. W. Warren, and the secretary, Mr D. P. Soye, are both from the Manchester Transport Training Group, who basically founded the organization, and the treasurer, Mr K. A. Gardner, is from the Manchester Corporation. These are supported by six committee members, each from a training association.

Any inquiries from interested parties would be welcomed.

D. P. SOYE, Institute of (HG Vi Driving Instructors, North-Western Area, 26 Chelmer Grove, Summit, Heywood, Lancs.

Maintenance and repair note the conclusion reached in your Editorial concerning vehicle maintenance and repair (CM January 7, 1972) that a more constructive permanent answer to this extremely worrying subject would be to devise some acceptable form of DoE inspection and licensing for garages.

You may be interested to learn that when, following the publication of the issue of Motoring Which? that focused attention upon the quality of garage servicing, the Little N eddy for the Trade set out to devise a means of control to ensure the observance of higher standards. I as a member of that body proposed that something very similarto your own conclusions would be the most permanent and sensible method to adopt in order to overcome this serious problem.

You will be even more interested to learn that this suggestion was dismissed out of hand without even the most superficial examination by all those concerned in the discussion at that time. and these included Ministry, employers, motoring and consumer organization representatives.

S. DYER, Assistant R.T.C. Group Secretary, Transport and General Workers' Union

Moral liability Your insurance correspondent, (CMJanuary 7) makes the point that employers' liability policies provide cover for the employer's legal

liability to pay compensation in respect of accidents sustained by employees.

While your correspondent points out that an employer cannot insure his moral liability ("such payment will have to come from his own pocket and not from insurance coffers"), it would, perhaps, be pertinent to remark that an employer can effect "personal accident or personal accident and sickness" policies for his (named or unnamed) employees which will provide compensation to the employee whether or not the employer is legally responsible to pay compensation.

The premium for such policies may be payable wholly by the employer or wholly by the employees, or jointly by both.

The Road Haulage Association, through its insurance panel, makes available to its members, a • very useful policy providing capital sums for death or loss of limbs or eyesight at a nominal (E1 per capita) annual premium.

A. E. DONALD, FCIB Member of the RHA Insurance Panel Careless tipping

Recently there has been much national publicity about the environmental effects of careless — even deliberately illegal — tipping of hazardous waste products. A number of drivers concerned have reportedly attended meetings of amenity societies at which they have spilled the "beans" — a less noxious commoditity than their employers have cheerfully caused to be disposed of improperly.

Does the road transport industry realize that its image — which has looked a trifle cleaner since the Transport Act and other safety legislation was passed — is in grave peril through the unprofessional and unethical commercialism of some waste disposal contractors?

Many drivers engaged in waste disposal must have quite a conscience if, over a period of years, they have reason to believe that they have tipped dangerous products in unsafe places. Their employers, as responsible in law for the actions of their servants, may or may not lose sleep at nights.

The CBI is suggesting to the Government that environmental improvements will be costly and that the public must pay through taxes for the higher treatment costs of noxious wastes. At this stage in the argument it seems quite vital that cut-rate road transport and waste disposal operators should be publicly shown up if they attempt to continue bad tipping practices. There are many unscrupulous customer firms who can never resist a cheap rate for waste disposal work — and to hell with public safety. I hope you will lend the prestige and influence of your generally enlightened journal to ensure that henceforth the road transport industry, tipping-wise, is beyond reproach.

GERALD SALMON, Hatfield.


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