Quango Cull (2)

Following my earlier post on this subject it seemed a good idea to return to it - and this time let us consider the abolition of a further group of inter-related quangos: British Waterways; Inland Waterways Advisory Board; Commission for Integrated Transport.

It is only necessary to refer back to my previous post from which it can be seen the Trans-European Network-Transport is already in place and that this will oversee roads, rail and inland waterways. Referral to the Trans-European Transport Network Executive Agency website will show their 'objectives' for 2010 and clicking on the TEN-T Projects tab on the left hand side brings up a list of projects by country. Click on the UK and one can then see projects that have been/are being completed and which no doubt (although I have not checked) were done as a result of our toy government's initiative and improvement programme. Click on the last project reference, 2009-UK-92708-S to see the improvement work on the Felixstowe-Nuneaton Route. You will note that it has a reference to "Priority Project 26" and by clicking on this it will lead you to a "Project Description". Returning to the waterways quangos, by clicking on project reference 2009-UK-00026-E it can be seen why the British Waterways is no longer required.

It is worth repeating Articles 90 & 91 of the TFEU mentioned in my previous post - this time with my added emphasis:

"Article 90: The objectives of the Treaties shall, in matters governed by this Title, be pursued within the framework of a common transport policy.

Article 91: 1. For the purpose of implementing Article 90, and taking into account the distinctive features of transport, the European Parliament and the Council shall, acting in accordance with the ordinary legislative procedure and after consulting the Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions, lay down: (a) common rules applicable to international transport to or from the territory of a Member State or passing across the territory of one or more Member States; (b) the conditions under which non-resident carriers may operate transport services within a Member State; (c) measures to improve transport safety; (d) any other appropriate provisions."

When Cameron & Clegg wrote in the foreward to the Coalition Programme For Government document:

"This is an historic document in British politics: the first time in over half a century two parties have come together to put forward a programme for partnership government"

Once again they lied - and lied twice - in that (a) they forgot to mention that it was a partnership twixt the EU and them; and (b) that even that wasn't true because one can hardly call a partnership something in which one half has more power than the other!