And Mr. Allan Kuhn wants Government to clear up the situation because he fears other businesses are trading illegally.

But the Transport Control Department is clear on its policies and disputes other firms are acting outside the law.

Mr. Kuhn has been involved with freight forwarding in Bermuda since 1974, working for Bermuda Air Forwarders and A. David Atcheson Ltd.

His company Kuhn International Cargo took over A. David Atcheson's Airport branch on March 1. Kuhn are exclusive agents for Burlington Air Express, a $1 billion worldwide cargo express group, with accounts with General Motors and Rolls Royce.

Mr. Kuhn asked the general importers of Bermuda and the Minister of Transport to scrutinise the general trucking scenario in Bermuda.

He said: "At present there are a lot of trucks hauling general cargo to and from the airport and docks, without the required hire permits as stipulated by the Transport Control Department.

"This has led to unfair competition and, contrary to the desired effect, even more heavy trucks being put on the road.

"I would like to have the whole situation clarified for, in taking over of A.

David Atcheon Ltd. (Airport Branch) I lost several very large clients to a trucker hauling freight for several years without the required H permit.'' Mr. Kuhn said his question was whether he required a hire permit or not. He said: "I have been advised by TCD that my firm can legally only haul cargo which is under my company's title, which the majority of my business is -- forwarded to us from Burlington Air Express in a consolidated system.

"However my firm will require a hire permit to transport general cargo from and to the docks and Airport. I was informed that if my firm was caught illegally transporting cargo that the truck and the contents would be impounded. And I would assume prosecution would follow.

"I agree with this law. The problem is getting it enforced and applied evenly to everyone.

"I have been on the front line of this battle for many years under another company's banner, and therefore was always under respect of restraint. Now I am the owner of my own firm and have suffered the loss of long time clients to unfair competition.

"I do not intend to stand by and watch even one of my clients be lost to any trucker who is operating what appears to be illegally.'' TCD manager of admission and registration Mr. Val Caesar "services'' the committee that deals with the permits.

Mr. Caesar said companies involved in freight forwarding were basically working for customers clearing customs and would not need hire permits, but he said there was a "grey area.'' He said it was untrue that companies were acting illegally and felt that most freight companies were moving away from the docks and the airport and getting involved in other haulage work like construction.