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Operators' organisations have welcomed the Transport Select Committee's decision to set up an inquiry into freight transport.

The committee of MPs, chaired by Gwyneth Dunwoody, says one of the issues it will examine later this year is whether the Department for Transport (DfT) is fulfilling its responsibility to help the free movement of freight while limiting its harmful impacts. One of the committee's key roles is to monitor how well the DfT is doing  its job.

The committee has invited written evidence to be submitted by 9 October; the Freight Transport Association (FTA) and Road Haulage Association (RHA) have welcomed this opportunity.

FTA policy director James Hookham says: "The inquiry will allow the industry to demonstrate the cutting-edge efficiency with which it operates, and explain the problems it encounters."

RHA policy director Jack Semple also welcomes the committee's plan to find out if there is a level playing field between UK and overseas freight companies: "This is something we've all been talking about for years - and if the committee can encourage the government to do something more about it, that would be very important."

The committee plans to examine the road safety record of LGVs. "The fleet in mainland Britain has an outstanding safety record, and one that is widely recognised as such," Semple says, concluding  that the industry has nothing to fear from such an investigation.