Cattle Hauliers Escape Revocation
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THE Acts controlling the haulage industry were not framed or passed with the aim of harassing those engaged in the industry, or for the exercise of mere bureaucratic control, said Mr. S. W. Nelson, Western Licensing Authority, at Exeter on Tuesday.
He was dealing with a case in which P. B. Browne, Ltd., cattle hauliers, Sheepwash, North Devon, were called to show why their A and 13 licences should not be suspended or revoked following convictions in October.
After hearing evidence, Mr. Nelson said he would not suspend or revoke the licences because he was satisfied thal steps had now been taken by the company to ensure they would not break the law again.
He said 13rowne's were convicted on October 17 on eight charges of failing to cause current records to be kept and 25 charges of permitting excessive hours to be worked.
Some drivers were convicted of failing to keep records and of working excessive hours, and one was convicted of altering a record with intent to deceive. The
n8 manager's wife was found guilty of seven charges of altering records.
The matters-disclosed were serious, not only because of the hours, but because the alteration of records made it extremely difficult to check hours worked.
Mr. T. D. Corpe, for the company, said the offences were frankly admitted. They were first offences which did. not arise because of a desire to gain unfair advantage over competitors, but entirely on account of lack of supervision.
Drivers had now been issued with time sheets which explained the statutory hours. There was also a time sheet containing all necessary instructions in the cab of every lorry and in the office.
Mr. Nelson said it had to be brought home to some hauliers that legal obligations must be fulfilled, although Browne's were possibly rather unlucky in being picked on.
It was quite clear that this had not been a studied attempt to get round the law. Mr. P. B. Browne, one of the principals, had aken the blame upon himself. It was easy ra push responsibility on to other people.