MP slams RHA FTA agreement
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• Leslie Huckfield, MP for Nuneaton and a member of the Labour Party Transport Group, has condemned the recent statement issued by the FTA and the RHA (CM December 19), that as a result of the Transport Act they had come to an agreement not to poach each other's members.
Mr. Huckfield said: "For the FTA and the RHA to make a statement of this kind, at this time, is ludicrous. It is nothing short of driving a coach and four through one of the main intentions of the Transport Act, which was to see the formation of a representative body for the whole of the road haulage industry, whether public or private carriers.
"I have already pressed the Minister of Transport to intervene on this because I am sure that having one body for the whole of the industry is the only way for it to negotiate with the Government to improve its status and to discipline its pirates and cowboys.
"There has been a road haulage industry in this country since the 1920s. It is about time it came of age. If it does not soon, I hope the Government will force it to. I shall certainly press the Minister very hard in this direction."