Difficulties for British Hatiliers in Spain
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THE marked coolness in official relations
between the British and Spanish Governments as a result of the Gibraltar problem appears to be extending to the transport sphere. Recent reports emphasize the difficulties British hauliers are experiencing as a result of the attitude of Spanish Customs.
Within the past few weeks a more serious problem has arisen as regards permits to operate in Spain. In two cases, Madrid has refused to grant licences to Dutch and Belgian hauliers towing British-based semi-trailers. This apparent discrimination against British traffic is being taken up actively by the RHA with the Ministry of Transport.
Representations are also being made to the Ministry in connection with the refusal of the West German authorities to grant permits to RHA members in recent weeks. The official reason of the Germans is the alleged intransigence of the British licensing system.
This attitude in Bonn is quite unreasonable, particularly in view of the bilateral talks held last summer between the British and German Ministries of Transport. In any case, there is no difficulty whatsoever in a German or other Continental haulier obtaining a permit to operate in Great Britain—all that is required is a short-term A or B licence which is virtually granted "over the counter".