Memorandum by Sissons Commercial Painting
(RH28)
I applaud the action taken by the Environment,
Transport & Regional Affairs committee in undertaking this
inquiry, which will highlight the plight of this essential industry
and the unfair advantages that recent legislation has given to
its competitors abroad. The full extent of the damage will be
shown in the loss of employment prospects and the increase in
State dependency.
In North Yorkshire the Haulage Industry, closely
linked to Agricultural Industry, is responsible for and essential
to the everyday running of hundreds of business concerns. The
majority of goods, commodities of every conceivable nature, are
moved by road. There is no adequate alternative means of supplies
and equipment reaching our industrial estates, farms and businesses,
which represent a livelihood for the working population. The road
network is the circulation system of the country.
Whilst it is recognised that fuel emissions
and the upkeep of roads are of national concern, hauliers are
doing all they can to help, with road friendly suspension, more
efficient engines, greener diesel, speed limiters and elsewise
conforming to current legislation.
The tremendous increase in the price of diesel
(over 20 per cent in the last 12 months) and the large increase
in vehicle excise duty has had a seriously adverse effect upon
the haulage industry and related businesses.
British hauliers cannot compete with foreign
hauliers, of whom we see more and more on our roads. Foreign hauliers
pay far less for their diesel and vehicle duty than we do and
are being used by our big concerns, as an economic measure at
the expense of our own industry.
Those British Hauliers who are in a position
to so do, are flagging out (registering their vehicles abroad)
and their growing numbers represent an increasing loss of revenue
for the Government and indicate that an important industry is
being sabotaged. Over the last 12 months my own business, which
is shotblasting, painting and signwriting commercial vehicles,
has seen a distinct downturn in sales. My customers, coping with
the huge increases in running costs, have had to hold back on
remedial work and with the future of the haulage industry in the
balance have not had the confidence to purchase new vehicles.
This last year the number of new vehicles painted to fleet colours
has been a fraction of the number painted the previous year.
I am in touch, daily, with hauliers operating
in the north from the Midlands to Dumfriesshire, who are being
forced to consider their viability. Unless the Government reduces
these excessive duty levels the future for everyone connected
with the haulage industry, parts manufacturers, paint shops, mechanics,
body builders etc, appears to be one destined for recession and
redundancies rather than healthy stability and growth.
R.I Hughes
Proprietor
February 2000
| 
