Blind eye to permit evasion
Page 22
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JACK SEMPLE was allowed behind the scenes at Dover during his investigation of permit checks. His report (CM February 23) shows that the same official flannel is dished out on both sides of the Customs barrier.
"In 10 months only 84 vehicles were reported as having evaded the permit law". But how many were not reported? Many times that figure, I am sure. You want evidence? Ask foreign hauliers and their drivers, or the Road Haulage Association's foreign equivalents.
The South East Traffic Area says the figures of offences are "so small as not to be countable". What figures? Not of those committing permit offences, I bet, but just those detected under the present lax arrangements.
Moreover even 100 per cent checking would not solve the problem. Permits should be cancelled by stamping. Otherwise they will be used repeatedly until their validity expires. What else would drivers do — tear them up and apply for new ones? Of course not.
The obvious "off the record, old boy" quote from the Department of Transport is worthy of Yes, Minister. "With long-term liberalisation of permits likely it may be decided that it is not worth burdening(!) Customs officers when the case is 'not proven'."
Bunkum! The proof is there if anyone wants to see it. But that would cause a row between Marsham Street and Kings Beam House. Much easier to emulate Nelson.
However there is a very serious problem. British hauliers' share of traffic to and from this country has dropped steadily, from 58 per cent in 1980 to 45 per cent last year. And the trend is accelerating. No doubt the reasons for this decline are complex. But the freedom of hauliers from restrictive countries to come and go as they please must play a part. At this rate by the time international haulage is liberalised — in, say, 20 years' time — British hauliers will be in no position to take advantage of the freedom.
It will be disgraceful if the authorities continue to stall. Worse, it will be dishonest if they continue to maintain that there is no problem. There is, and the RHA campaign deserves your full support. PEG DAWSON West London (Reg Dawson was the DTp official responsible for administering the permit system until he retired in 1982.)