Weights leak from :oster report?
Page 5
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
.KS from the Department fransport which point to a p lobby to raise the maxim gross weights of vehicles 3ritain are now certain to re come from the unpushed Foster Committee ort on operators licensing. 1ut blame for the leaks is rig laid at the door of freight ler secretary Joe Peeler o has only been at the DTp September.
Lnd already there have been Is from MPs for his dissal over a memo written by Peeler calling for a public uiry into the whole quesi of vehicle weights.
'ransport Minister William Igers is known to be vehently opposed to any sugtion of raising the weights — and is not likely to change his mind with a general election on the horizon.
Mr Peeler is thought to be supported in his memo by deputy secretary for transport industries Peter Lazarus who has also produced a three-page document supporting Mr Peeler's case for an inquiry.
It is Mr Peeler's memo that contained the leaks that come from the Foster Committee report and one MP — Sir George Younger, MP for Ealing — has already said that he will be calling for the release of a document written by Mr Christopher Foster on the work of the committee.
The controversial memo written by Mr Peeler suggests that a public inquiry at which the haulage industry would be allowed to put its case for heavier vehicles would improve the industry's image.
And the inquiry would be a method to deal with the political opposition to the question of raising weights.
Mr Rodgers made his position clear in a Parliamentary answer only 10 weeks ago when he said: "I have no such proposals (to increase weights) nor have I had any formal consultations on the matter recently.
"I could not agree to any increase until I was fully satisfied that it would be consistent with safety and environment considerations. The views of the House (of Commons) would, of course, be a major factor," said Mr Rodgers.
And on the radio programme World At One he said that his senior civil servants had the right to discuss such matters as raising weights but the final responsiblity was his and that of Parliament.
This week DTp spokesmen would not comment on the origin of the leaks, nor would they give a date for the publication of the Foster Report, A spokesman would only say that the report was "still under consideration" but it is thought that Mr Rodgers is blocking its publication because of the views it puts forward.