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Guilty by default?

9th August 2001, Page 7
9th August 2001
Page 7
Page 7, 9th August 2001 — Guilty by default?
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Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

In terms of injustice, we thought we'd seen it all with fines for carrying illegal immigrants. But we were wrong. International hauliers now have something even worse to contend with. What are we talking about? The latest rules that allow Customs and Excise to punish one man for another man's crime, if smuggled booze or fags are found on a truck.

Don't get us wrong: the authorities are right to do all they can to stamp out the smuggling of alcohol and tobacco. But how can they justify assuming the operator of the truck in question is party to the crime, and impounding the truck just because the operator can't prove otherwise?

Once upon a time in Britain, you were innocent until proven guilty. For truck operators it seems another law now applies—one that says you're as guilty as whatever your drivers get up to. If British justice used to be the envy of the world, let's hope the world isn't looking our way right now.

• Can every last member of your workforce add two and two? If so, you're one of the lucky ones because new statistics suggest over half the employers in road transport feel basic literacy and numeracy in their workforce are inadequate.

And if they can't add up properly, how on earth are they going to use sophisticated IT systems, keep a record of their working hours, or help give your customers the level of service they expect?

You may be able to work around such basic skills shortages for now, but in the longer term, the haulage sector must ensure its workforce is trained to minimum acceptable levels if it is ever to shrug off the poor image it currently enjoys.

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