Licensing Sub-committees Supported
Page 30
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
A CCORDING to the annual report tisof the Road Haulage Association's West Riding (Leeds) Area, the Yorkshire road-rail licensing sub-committee last year considered 1,125 licence applications. This work resulted in 262 agreements with applicants, the withdrawal of 203 objections and the withdrawal of 27 applications.
"The value of the continuance of this arrangement is, therefore, patent to all," comments the report, signed by Alderman Charles Holdsworth, of Halifax, chairman of the area.
After recalling that the creation of these negotiating committees caused strong criticism, the report comments that the scheme now meets with wide approval, "The Licensing Authorities generally, and particularly in our own area, are using to the utmost the co-operation which these joint committees provide," it says.
Collaboration, such as has been achieved by these committees, is also apparent at meetings of the Yorkshire Road and Rail Regional Conference.
Referring to work done in the stabilization of rates, the report admits that many difficulties still exist, but expresses confidence that the industry could build up a national rates structure if given time and opportunity.
Commending the officials and committee responsible in the area for the operation of the post-control scheme to ensure the provision of the necessary road transport for Government essential traffics, the report says they have been able to demonstrate that road transport could and always would. given the opportunity, provide all the essential carrying facilities.
"The rapid provision of emergency road transport during the fuel crisis and the worst weather within living memory." it is added. "was an outstanding example of the excellent service which road transport offers under private enterprise."
For the anti-nationalization campaign. R.H.A. members in the area had, up to the time of the report's preparation, subscribed £6,144 to the fighting fund. A steady increase in area membership is reported, the number of new members admitted during the year being 164.
Alderman Holdsworth expresses the belief that a future still exists for private enterprise in road transport.