MISSION IMPOSSIBLE
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I seems to me that Bill Newberry is on a mission, and like many missions it is illconceived and ill-advised. I would like to know where Mr Newberry's primary responsibility lies. Is it to monitor and enforce EU and national law on road transport, or is it to help the authorities to pursue companies that employ a few East European drivers, who some hauliers say are undermining rates?
Most roadfreight destined for outside the EU is controlled by freight forwarders. As I see it, they have three options: • Use their own fleets—rare.
• Use a British company with or without East European drivers who are subject to ELI and national laws.
• Use an East European hauler whose maintenance and drivers' hours are barely monitored and who makes no contribution to the Exchequer.
It is not a handful of Fast European drivers who are causing havoc with rates, but the dramatic increase in the number of eastern European hauliers used by UK freight forwarders.
Also, could someone explain the difference between the National Health Service employing a Phillipino nurse, and a UK transport firm hiring an East European driver? Glyn Jones, Sunhill Transport, Deeside, Flintshire.