European Muddle .

4th May 1962, Page 59

4th May 1962

Page 59

Page 59, 4th May 1962 — European Muddle .

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THERE are any number of ways in which ideas for articles in The Commercial Motor can be born; perhaps the most frequent approach is when somebody asks a simple question. It was just such a seemingly simple question that started off the author of the article on page 479 of this issue. A haulier wanted to know the legal dimensions authorized for a certain vehicle in a particular European country. This information proved to be far from easy to obtain, and so it was decided to institute the survey which forms the subject of the article mentioned.

It soon became apparent that there were some singular gaps in the information available in the United Kingdom. A long time afterwards it became equally clear that it was possible to get all of the information for some countries and some of the information for all countries; but never all of the information for all of the European countries. This was not through lack of goodwill on the part of the various authorities concerned, simply through lack of national decisions on the subject.

What of the European Economic Community—the Common Market of which Great Britain will presumably soon be a member? Here, surely, since adequate machinery exists for the taking and implementing of decisions, must also exist some measure, at least, • of standardization. Such was the thought, but such proved to be far from the case. In fact, barely more than a month ago there were serious complaints by members of the European Parliamentary Assembly about lack of action.

Working for 17 years

-Work has certainly been going on. Since 1945 the Economic Commission for Europe and the European Conference of Ministers of Transport (on both of which Great Britain has been represented) have been putting in a lot of work on the subject of standardized weights and dimensions. Few results have appeared, and the whole thing smacks of trying to chop down trees with feathers. The meagre results undoubtedly obtain because of the lack of power on the part of the two bodies to implement any decisions to which they might come, and not because of any lack of application on the part of the people concerned; but the fact remains that few trees fall to feathers, however expertly wielded.

In (it would seem) sheer desperation, the E.E.C. Commission has decided to plough its own furrow and produce standard weights and dimensions. This will be neither an easy nor a speedy course of action, because there is not yet unanimity among existing member countries of the Common Market, where Italy and the Netherlands have still not agreed to all-Europe proposals the Ministers of Transport made in 1960. Add to this the fact that the Common Market Commission has also officially to consider the possibility of Great Britain's entry, possible entry of other E.F.T.A. countries, and its contacts with Switzerland and Austria.

Confused? So are a lot of other knowledgeable people. Yet into this welter of confusion, a lot of British operators will soon have to plunge because, whether or not we join the Common Market, Continental haulage is bound to increase. Membership of the E.E.C. will merely greatly accelerate this trend. Europe will not only become a major operating area for hauliers and C-licensees but will also become a major export market for our manufacturers.

It was particularly to help goods vehicle operators that the article was written. It can honestly be claimed to be the most up-to-date and comprehensive survey of this remarkably fluid situation. Meantime, who can blame those who call: "Woodman. spare that feather "?

European Muddle .

Page 59

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