Social harmony in road transport
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DREIGN OFFICE Minister of Late Mr Roy Hattersley last tek refused to give any Views pout the "social harmonisaon in road transport" which to be considered by Euromin Transport Ministers at ieir meetings on December 3 and 11.
Outlining European Cornunity business for this ionth, Mr Hattersley told MPs iat "social harmonisation" Icluded hours and conditions working. He noted that this Duntry had already obtained certain derogations," but said lat it would not be right for im to comment on the merits f the proposals which the linisters would be considerg.
At the Transport Council Iinisters would also have efore them proposals for Ktending the Community uota and bracket tariff rrangements for international Dad transport, and would conider the possibility of proress on alignment of national ixation systems and harmoniWon on weights and dimenions for commercial vehicles, dded Mr Hattersley.
He promised to "take note" f a suggestion by Mr Richard :. Mitchell (Labour, Itchen) aat when the Minister for Transport went to the meeting he took a copy of the resolution of the Commons opposing larger and heavier lorries.
Mr John H. Osborn (Tory, Hallam) asked Mr Hattersley to bear in mind that the quota increases were well below double for Ireland, Denmark and Great Britain and more than double for the original six EEC members.
From Mr David Steel (Liberal, Roxburgh, Selkirk and Peebles) came the view that the Government should resist further transport regulations which increased cost and decreased the flexibility of road transport, while Mr Arthur Lewis (Labour, Newham North West) was worried about VAT.
Mr Lewis said that the other eight members of the EEC had imposed VAT on transport and were annoyed that Britain had not.
The Minister told him that this was not one of the subjects to be discussed in December.
The draft Sixth Directive on VAT, which was still under discussion, contained proposals for the harmonisation of VAT systems within the Community. This would allow the continuation of the present zero-rating for passenger transport in this country.