The first issue tackled, foreign competition, is covered by a response that states "However, while the penetration of foreign hauliers may have an impact on the freight transport industry, it may also have the effect of reducing distribution costs to the rest of the UK and the EU, which is good for business, consumers and the economy."

"This is what we also believe", said RHA Director for Scotland and Northern Ireland, Phil Flanders. "We have been raising this issue for a number of years - lower distribution costs are a benefit! Unfortunately Scottish hauliers will not be able to deliver these benefits because we are not given the chance. I'm sure that all hauliers based in this country and paying through the nose for fuel would love to have the chance to benefit businesses, consumers and the economy.

"This attitude of the Executive will solve another problem area", he continued, "namely the driver shortage.  There will be no need for drivers who work for companies that do not help in reducing costs.  We understand and support competition.  But it must be fair competition. At present, the Executive seems to condone UNFAIR competition.

"Thankfully, not all politicians think that way; at least the members of the Local Government and Transport Committee acknowledged the role of the road haulier and his value to the economy and did recommend some far reaching options. Who knows perhaps common sense will return sometime before it is too late?".

So, will the haulage industry go the way of the ship building industry, heavy engineering and a lot of manufacturing? This is a debate Scotland must surely have and sooner, rather than later.