Seeking Labour MP's help
Page 25
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By lain Sherriff
• If the feelings of East Anglian hauliers, their drivers and customers is a fair reflection of the feelings of people in the rest of the country then the Minister of Transport will contribute to a large extent to the downfall of the Government at the next election. This was the opinion expressed to me by the prospective Tory candidate for Ipswich, Mr. E. Money, prior to the RHA's meeting there last week.
Over 400 people attended; there were representatives from RHA, TRTA, CBI, the Association of British Chambers of Commerce, drivers, managers, exporters, industrialists—and housewives.
Mr. E. Smith, director of Reece of Ipswich, pointed out that Mrs. Castle anticipated that the railways would be carrying 10 per cent of the country's traffic by 1970. And he asked: "Why then should she impose this iniquitous tax on the remaining 90 per cent?"
Exporters voiced their concern at the tax, and indicated that it would price them out of many hardwon Continental markets.
A social problem raised by one driver was that when the working day was reduced, drivers would need to spend more nights away from home. "Has the Minister made any provision for more accommodation to be available?" he wanted to know.
It was suggested that everyone should approach the local Labour MP concerning • the effects of the Bill and ask for his support in having it suitably amended.