A High Court decision to halt fines against lorry drivers who are fined œ2,000 per illegal immigrant found on board their vehicles was welcomed by the Road Haulage Association.
A High Court decision to halt fines against lorry drivers who are fined œ2,000 per illegal immigrant found on board their vehicles was welcomed by the Road Haulage Association. The RHA however said it was dismayed at the reaction of the Home Secretary David Blunkett. Mr Blunkett reportedly said he was ?concerned that once again the courts have intervened with an interpretation that fails to take in account the reasons for the implementation of the policy. Should the appeal be unsuccessful we will have to find an alternative way of holding people to account when in the present circumstances their actions may be putting the nation at risk.? RHA Chief Executive Roger King commented: “To say that I find the Home Secretary’s comments disappointing would be an understatement. We have never questioned the need to penalise those who are knowingly participating in this criminal activity – indeed the law already allows for this. However, the penalty treats people as guilty until proved innocent. That must be wrong and the courts agree.” See www.rha.net.
The Freight Transport Association and RHA say they want the Government to work with responsible operators towards a fairer treatment of companies able to demonstrate proper checking of lorries. According to the FTA and RHA the aim should be an agreement that responsible operators with approved and verifiable systems will be protected from penalties if this is the result of an employee or a checking agency failing to discharge their responsibilities. The haulage industry would commit itself to working with the enforcement authorities by exchanging data which could be useful in identifying those knowingly involved in people smuggling, the FTA and RHA add.
