Examination of Witnesses (Questions 300
- 305)
WEDNESDAY 15 MARCH 2000
MR DOUG
THOROGOOD AND
MR STEPHEN
ALAMBRITIS
300. Is it then too easy to get into the industry?
Are the barriers to entry too low?
(Mr Alambritis) There is a view that we have one of
the easiest regimes in which to set up in any business in the
United Kingdom. In Europe there is a public law status, where
if you want to set up in business you have to go to various training
courses, you have to belong to your guild of operators or your
Chamber of Commerce. What we have in the United Kingdom, you are
rightly assuming this, is the easiest regime in the world to set
up in business. We do not have loops or obstacles before we set
up.
301. Should we restrict entry into the industry
if we are oversupplied with firms who are only barely viable?
(Mr Alambritis) I do not think we should restrict
entry. What I think we should do is to make sure those entries
know full well the real practicalities of operating in the industry
and should be made fully aware of the various trade associations
that can help them and have more information from banks, accountants
or lawyers when they are intending to set up, so they know the
reality of setting up in business.
302. I want to ask you one final question, what
calculation have you made of the impact of the Working Time Directive
on your members?
(Mr Alambritis) We need to go back to the members
on that. What we did was we asked for better regulations and asked
the Cabinet Office to see whether the regulations could be eased
in terms of the actual paperwork first.
303. Just on the paperwork, not on the impact
of the regulation itself, just on the filling in of the forms?
(Mr Alambritis) The record keeping, the paperwork,
is something our members reported as a bone of contention.
304. Matters like the provisions and the changes
in night working were not discussed with your members?
(Mr Alambritis) It was discussed with members in the
residential care industry quite a lot but I do not recall it being
discussed in the road haulage industry. We can go back to them
and then come back to the Committee with that.
305. Are you quite happy with the quality of
the training and supply of drivers?
(Mr Thorogood) That is something that we do not get
involved in.
Chairman: Gentlemen, you have been very patient.
I am very grateful to you both. Thank you very much.
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