§ Mr. Nicholas Bakerasked the Minister of Transport what action he is taking to increase the number of international permits available to long-distance hauliers; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. FowlerI take every opportunity to press for such increases. We have succeeded in increasing the 1980 quotas for West Germany, France and Italy by 75 per cent., 24 per cent. and 20 per cent. respectively. The EEC multilateral quota was increased by 20 per cent. In addition to these substantial increases, the removal of the need for permits for own account traffic with France and—from 1 July—Italy releases more permits for professional road hauliers.