MPs back EEC
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MPs have backed the 1983 European Commission proposals to abolish road haulage quotas in the next five years.
At Westminster last week they gave their support to the proposals, which envisage a relaxation in the early stages of the fiveyear period to be followed by complete abolition.
Transport Minister Lynda Chalker declared: "It is high time we did away with these oldfashioned, bureaucratic, ineffective and costly means of organising road transport, which do not good even for the industries they are supposed to protect."
But Opposition spokesman Peter Snape made clear his party's disquiet at the Government's proposals to relax lorry regulations in an increasing number of directions.
EEC Transport Ministers are due to discuss the proposals next month. The Government has hinted it would be willing to support a minimum lorry weight of 40 tonnes.