Hauliers "Stabbed in the Back" by Witness
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L'VIDENCE given by the production
manager of Eskimo Foods, Ltd., when the company supported a haulage concern's application fpr a new A licence, was repudiated last week by Eskimo Foods' managing director. In a letter to Maj. F.'S. Eastwood, Yorkshire Licensing Authority, the managing director said the evidence had been given without his knowledge, and the person concerned had beenreprimanded.
Farnborough Transport, Ltd., Freston, near Hull, were seeking two A-licensed Vehicles to carry frozen goods, and were opposed -by the British Transport Commission (The Commercial Motor, October 10). The private-objectors withdrew at the original bearing.
Eskimo Foods' managing director pointed out in his letter that although there would be no decrease in the work given to Farnborough Transport, any big increase in production would go by rail. At the previous hearing it had been stated that the rail services available were unsatisfactory.
Mr. G. Baker, for Farnborough Transport, said there had been nothing underhand. It was an unfortunate mis
understanding that • Mr. R. Moss, who gave evidence for Eskimo Foods, was unaware that negotiations were taking 'place with British Railways for a national agreement. He had given an honest opinion of his company's transport needs. Two vehicles were needed because Farnborough Transport could not meet Eskimo Foods' existing demands.
Mr. G. P. Barratte Eskimo Foods' Grimsby traffic manager, said their support was now based on the managing director's letter. In his view, the railways could not meet all their traffic requirements, such as demands at short notiee and three-point collections in Hull. He agreed that the company had no transport difficulties atthe moment.
Mr, T. B. Atkinson, for the B.T.C.. said strong customer evidence • was needed. Farnborough Transport were owned by another haulage concern, who specialized in container traffic and work \ had been found for them in this way. While negotiations were still going on between Eskimo Foods and British Railways it was impossible to assess the need. When British Railways became aware that Eskimo Foods were supporting the application they had asked for an assurance that there would be sufficient traffic to justify the building of expensive containers. Rates and the question of special trains still had to be agreed, although arrangements were settled in the Grimsby area.
British Road, Services (Meat Haulage). Ltd., had six insulated container vehicles, based at Leeds, on charter to United Carriers, who worked in the Hull area, and these could not be said to be fully employed.
Mr. Baker submitted that highly specialized traffic was involved and there was uncontradicted evidence that Farnborough Transport could not cope with the existing work, whilst II. Fletcher, who controlled them, were starved of transport to meet the demand. NegotiatiOns with the railways might come to nothing. Mr. Moss', evidence should not be rejected. It might well be that his managing director' Was annoyed •at not being consulted. Farnborough Transport had been stabbed in the, back by one of •.heir chief witnesses, but there was still justification for a grant.
Decision was reserved.