France introduces axle tax
Page 39
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
THE FRENCH GOVERNMENT has introduced a draft finance law for 1968 which incorporates a special axle tax on heavy goods vehicles. The rates of this tax are shown in the following table:
Foreign vehicles will be taxed as they pass through French Customs.
French vehicles engaged in purely short distance work of a limited nature will receive a 50 per cent reduction in the tax. A reduction of 10 per cent per 6,000 km journey will also be granted to hauliers who have during the preceding year used the French toll motorways or the Kangarou road/rail system.
The French Minister of Finance has emphasized that h.g.v. must be made to make their proper contribution towards infrastructure costs. This view is not accepted by the French road haulage association (FNTR) which has pointed out that the French Government has acted entirely unilaterally, since the special EEC study group on infrastructure costs has not yet published its recommendations for a standard track cost policy within the Six.
The FNTR also stresses that hauliers are being victimized since no effort is being made to ensure a proper contribution from the private motorist or the coach operator. Another point made by the Federation is that the proposals will seriously weaken the competitive position of French hauliers.
• THE vehicles of the Glasgow haulier Isaac Barrie (Transport) Ltd. have been purchased by John Barrie (Contractor) Ltd., and not by TDG as stated last week. In fact the TDG acquisition was Glasgow Hiring Co. Ltd., of which Mr. J. A. Barrie was managing director.