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BIRD'S-EYE VIEW
Page 58
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I. )BODY expects recently re
shuffled Government ministers immediately to be familiar with all the fine detail of their new responsibilities. But it is not unreasonable to have expected that Leon Brittan, even in his former position as Home Secretary (never mind as Trade and Industry Secretary). at least would be aware that there is a commercial vehicle manufacturing industry in this country. Apparently he is not.
The new man at the DTI stunned some if his audience at a recent Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders London conference to mark the 100th anniversary of the motor industry when, in a 15-minute "keynote address" he made no reference whatsoever to trucks, vans or buses.
He recalled "names that age cannot wither nor custom stale, like Riley and Lagonda." Obviously he has never heard of AEC, Thornycroft or Guy.
He paid tribute to BL's recent achievements and its "exciting new products", but made it clear that he was referring specifically to cars. Perhaps he thinks a T45 is a form used by his colleagues at the Department of Employment.
Would it have been expecting too much for some passing reference to Leyland Bus's recent efforts to win a little business in Bangkok?
The market share figures Brittan used to illustrate his "bleak and unpalatable message" of an industry in decline all came from the car side of the industry. The two developments he picked out as "optimistic signs" were Ford's lean-burn petrol engine and Peugeot's decision to build the 309 car at Ryron.
There was no mention of Ford's 2.5 DI diesel engine, its investment in Southampton to build the Transit replacement or Bedford's building of the Midi at Luton, to name only three important CV developments he might have noticed.
lithe Trade and Industry Secretary expects people to believe his assertion that "the Government remains totally committed to the success of the UK motor industry," he first needs to demonstrate that he is aware of the existence of a significant part of it.
Ai Y EYE nearly popped out of ...._its socket the other day as my private aeroplane (well, Volvo's actually . . .) taxied to the general aviation terminal at Brussels airport. Brussels, as all legislation-oppressed operators know, is one of the chief centres of the profligate EEC, which seems to be able to spend our money like water. So you would expect some pretty extravagant equipment, and exotic vehicles, on the tarmac of this Eurocrats' airport.
Not so: the "follow mevehicle which led us, rather erratically, to our park was . . . a bicycle, propelled by a rather hang-dog looking individual waving two of those fluorescent-green table-tennis bats beloved of aircraft ground control. And in a fit on undermanning quite uncharacteristic of Europeans, it was this same fellow who, having abandoned his trusty steed, took over the final parking duties with his bats as well.
I didn't spot the airfield fire tender, but I have to assume that it would be a hand-cart propelled by four pompiers.
THE DEBATE on whether to build a cross-Channel fixed link seems to have been transformed by some process of metamorphosis as to which scheme the British and French governments will pick. However, Transport Secretary Nicholas Ridley says he will welcome any submissions from the public.
Meanwhile, civil servants are studying nine proposals to see whether they come up to scratch. Besides the four main ones (page 6), five others include a S.:5 billion plan from an East London builder for a double-deck bridge with wave-powered generating stations.
Whatever happens, hauliers seem set to benefit. The drivers' hours point is not strong on short-sea routes and not only arc the fixed link proponents promising lower rates, but Townsend Thoresen, too, says it will fight back with lowered charges possible with jumbo ferries. Presumably these lower rates can stand even if all the schemes are rejected.
NO WONDER the old boys in the House of Lords have difficulty staying awake, one haulier was heard to remark. lie had just, along with everyone else at the RHA's annual conference, been bored half to death by la spiritless monotone delivery from young Government spokesman Lord Brabazon of Tara.
His delivery was compared with the spirited attack on transport's biggest union by Frank Chapple, now Lord Chapple.
But the content of Lord Chapple's speech against present union leaders
"T HIS MAN thinks you're
all a lot of pussy cats," said Glyn Samuel, introducing Lord Chapple at the Road Haulage Association's annual conference.
One has to say he had a point. After all the heat raised by magistrates' courts, Doug Acres from the Magistrates' Association was expected to be verbally mauled.
In fact, he had a very smooth ride. Perhaps it was due to Acres' own jolly, sympathetic address before questions.
"I wasn't born yesterday," said an obviously seasoned lion tamer.
also raised a few eyebrows. Bradford haulier Chris Wright vented the thoughts of many when he asked Lord Chapple: "I wonder how you get on with your new workmates?"
IS THE Government getting cold feet over blocking the London lorry ban? Conflicting views have been coming out from Marsham Street for some time now, with worrying signs that in the view of Ministers the ban won't be that bad anyway.
Transport Under Secretary Patrick Jackson confidently reassured hauliers at the RHA's Portugal conference over the Court of Appeal ruling. A few days before the decision he said: "Our lawyers think we have a 50/30 chance."
But he went on: "If we lose this one, we have other shots in our locker."
Really? Then let's see them, and quick, otherwise there will be suspicions that Dave Wetzel has done a deal with Transport Secretary Nicholas Ridley.
• by The Hawk