The Western Region Action Group
The WRAG Magazine

March 2006

Mid Wilts MAG

Mid Wilts had a successful AGM with Paul re-elected as group rep, Taffy a.k.a. Alan Jones as deputy rep with a view to taking over as rep in 2007. Quote from the minutes “Mid Wilts had received an invite to have a stand at the Vulcan Riders on the 13th May.” Have spoken to Val on this, it ties in with their AGM, will put a stand/table up this will be from 14:00 till? There is a band and camping, I have met them before they are a nice bunch. Taffy.

Weston & North Somerset MAG

W&NS MAG’s venue has changed its name, it is no longer The Bell, but is now known as Cromwells. But it is the venue, and we still meet there every Wednesday at 8:30pm.
We are also holding our AGM at Cromwells on Wednesday 29th March 2006, at 9pm prompt. Please ensure you have your membership card so as you can vote.
As you know unfortunately Andy Watton has had to stand down as our Rep, so we are looking for a new Rep. Any nominations, seconds and proposals should be given to the committee by the 15th March 2006.
We are also considering electing two more committee members now our group has grown in size. Any volunteers????? The Troll.

Duk Dik Rally

The 19th Annual Duk Dik Rally is now only just over a month away! Have you booked? No!? Then get in touch with Sheila 01327 351425 or Donna 01452 506 941. There is real ale, fun and games, and great company all in an idyllic location twixt the Forest of Dean and the River Severn. Ride out will be a charity pet food run. So bring a chum :) Tickets: Mag members £8 non-Mag members £10.
Marshals needed for this event volunteer now!

Glos MAG

Please keep an ear to the ground for a single bike trailer for sale or newly acquired by someone. It was stolen Thursday afternoon. And is of Great sentimental value to the owners, who used it when occasion demanded. Please tell and ask everyone. Ta xDonna

DVLA

The Troll recently gave Central a heads up on a Consultation Doc issued by the DVLA, and here is TB’s view.

The Department for Transport has asked for replies to a consultation.  This consultation is on the specific issue of the release of data from the Vehicle Registers. The options that they are considering are listed below, however there is a more fundamental concern -
Should the DVLA release information for a fee?  (make more money from our vehicle registration details).
Should this information be released to the private sector?
In other words - giving information to companies that may abuse this, for example clamping companies.  Consider that there are other methods of getting details about people - medical registers, CRB records, National Insurance records, tax records and shortly the ID cards. There is more information on the Government’s website.

Options


The key options discussed in this paper are:
Section One: Granting access to the register: whether we seek to specify who has access to vehicle keeper data and for what reason, or stick with a judgement based on 'reasonable cause';
Section Two: Managing access to the register: whether we retain two tiers of access to the data: requests made on a case by case basis, and conditional access for approved groups or whether we require all requests to be made on a case by case basis; and
Section Three: Auditing access to the register: what new audit arrangements we put in place including an assessment of the behaviour of those who have data released to them; and a formalmechanism for those whose data has been released to comment on the appropriateness of that release.
The groups or individuals who can seek access to data are not defined in the law, other than they have to show 'reasonable cause'.
Trevor Baird. MAG Public Affairs.

“Abolition of Parliament Bill?”

On 21 February the Times Online carried an article:"Who wants the Abolition of Parliament Bill?". The article carries news of a Bill before Parliament, The Legislative and Regulatory Reform Bill 2006. The Bill seeks to extend the powers of Ministers to make, change or repeal legislation with minimal reference to the House.  David Howarth writes, “ministers will have to face at most a short debate in a committee and a one-and-a-half hour debate on the floor. Frequently the Government will face less than that. No amendments will be allowed. The legislative process will be reduced to a game of take-it-or-leave-it.” I have been online to the Government’s website to read the Bill, it makes frightening reading.
Here is a brief summary of the most important parts:

Where does this leave MAG? Well, it might be argued by a Minister that as only a few thousands of motorcyclists see fit to join MAG, it is not really representative and so it would not be appropriate to consult us about what?
Leg protectors, air-bags, power restrictions, banning off-road use at all, banning biking (Vision Zero)!
MAG is a political organisation based upon democratic principals that lie at the heart of our polity. The Legislative and Regulatory Reform Bill 2006 is, in my opinion, a direct attack on our Democracy which, could conceivably lead to loss of yet more of our freedoms. We know there are people who are implacably opposed to motorcycling and that from time to time they are in positions of power in the Government, it would only need for one of those to become a Minister for us to see our chosen lifestyle, transport, sport being rendered illegal without any debate.
In my opinion MAG members should lobby their MPs about this bill and call for its complete removal, not a watered-down version, simply removed from Parliament's calendar. Stuart Duckworth

Events

March

April

The Motorcycle Action Group accepts no responsibility for the content of this publication and the views expressed are not necessarily those of the Editor or MAG.

Published by The Demented Troll