Rhetorical reply
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Conintereial Motor's recent editorial (CM 23-29 lMay) criticising Labour's transport policy document for not doing more for the truck industry ended with a rhetorical question: "When was the last time they asked truck operators how they might help?" Perhaps I can reassure your readers that since taking over the Labour transport portfolio in October I have had regular meetings with representatives from the truck trade associations, and will continue to work closely with the industry.
Transport policy has to take into account all modes of transport. This is reflected in the broad scope of the transport policy document. As the document makes clear, road freight is vital to the economic well-being of this country.
The CM editorial claims there are no original ideas in transport. While Labour's dialogue with industry trade bodies will continue, I urge your readers to use Cilfs pages to contribute further to this debate. Graham Allen, MP