Think expansionist
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Peter Walker and John Peyton must surely be confused men this week. Both will remember how the Road Haulage Association, only a few years ago, was, with Mr Walker's help, mounting an expensive but futile campaign to murder the unborn twins of "Transport Bill" — quality and quantity licensing. This week the frustrated murderers have apparently recanted; they now recommend that John Peyton goes into Europe fighting for both systems to be introduced in EEC transport law.
Qualiiy control could be simply achieved in the UK by introducing Sections 71 to 80 of the 1968 Act. But, to add to John Peyton's confusions, these were the very sections which the RHA asked him to repeal almost two years ago.
To add further to the confusion, he has been requested to fight for a modified version of the draft EEC regulation on licensing. It now seems that the RHA is asking for some kind of restriction to be placed on own-account operators. Almost a return, he might think, to the former C licence.
Members are cleary worried about the influx of new operators to their previously protected preserves, and they also worry over the *freedom now enjoyed by the ownaccount operator. They have the answers to both questions. As established professional hauliers their experience should overcome any challenge from a novice. Additionally, many own-account operators would be happy to be rid of their transport -problems but have to be satisfied that the professlonal haulier is really professional.
The protection which the RHA now seeks is out of date: if it was ever desirable. that was two years ago at the beginning of the recession. But now we are about to enter a period of reflation and are at the same time moving into Europe — both developments offer exciting opportunities. There is nothing exciting about restrictive, protective licensing — that breeds complacency. Now is the time for road haulage to be thinking expansionist. That is the way to progress and prosperity.