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RUNNING OUT OF TIME
Page 9
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Barry Proctor has been to Brussels to lobby MEPs on the Working Time Directive — and he's now more worried than ever about the industry's future.
Last week I joined a 40-strong contingent of UK hauliers and we took our concerns and questions over the Working Time Directive to the very heart of where this legislation has been cobbled together — Brussels. Heart-left thanks to Geoff Martin and the South Staffordshire Chamber of Commerce for organising the expedition, which was a revelation. The visit consisted of meetings with various Conservative and Liberal Democrat MEPs. I was impressed by their strong business sense and heartened by their support and understanding, particularly Conservative
MEPs John Cony, Philip Bushill-Matthews and Malcolm Harbour.
What disappointed us most was the gaping hole where the Labour MEPs should have been. None were present. Contrast this with a recent Radio Stoke piece on Europe which was choc-a-bloc with them and you can imagine our exasperation.
John Corry hosted an evening dinner to which we were all invited. Just as we were giving up entirely, one Labour MEP, Nina Gill, made an appearance and spent 10 minutes at each table. When she sat on ours, my first question was why Labour was discriminating against drivers in the Working Time Directive. Her predictable answer was her fear of being hit by an over-tired driver. So I asked her why then she was happy to be killed by an over-tired self-employed driver. Her answer shocked us all: "I didn't know that!"
This, coming from a woman who has discussed and signed up to this legislation, defies belief. We were left with a red-faced Euro MP stuttering that no one had ever told her this. So overall it was a worthwhile visit, but the feeling
afterwards was one of disappointment and shock at the Labour MEP's cluelessness. We may have some answers about the WTD but we are still unclear on certain areas, not least periods of availability. I really fear for this industry of ours now. Judging by comments on the coach home, I'm not alone.
Barry Proctor owns Barry Proctor Services, which is based in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire.