Editorial Stop waffling
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WHAT A GALAXY of talent the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders attracted to the 1982 Motor Show. Willie Whitelaw, Home Secretary; Patrick Jenkin, Industry Secretary; David Howell, Transport Secretary; Michael Foot, Leader of the Opposition. Nevertheless, they did little more than boost the flagging attendance at the NEC.
Certainly there was nothing in any of the official speeches to encourage either vehicle manufacturers or operators to think that the industry was soon to learn that heavier gross weights were acceptable at last. Legislation may come soon but not without other conditions.
We can expect more controls, higher taxation and further delays. The Home Secretary is pleased to see that his colleague the Transport Secretary intends to place controls on heavy vehicles. That must have been the non-statement of the show.
The Transport Secretary must stop waffling — he must make his intentions known. If by-passes and legislation on matters other than heavier weights have to be introduced first, let him say so.
If hgv weight increases are still distant, let him put a date on the implementation now. This debate has been going on since Bill Rogers was the Labour Transport Secretary. He and his successors have ducked the issue too long.
David Howell has been hinting for twelve months that a decision was just around the corner. How many more corners, Mr Howell?
Who knows, perhaps he is keeping the answer as his Christmas gift to the industry.