R.H.E. Efficiency 9 Per Cent. Down
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VEHICLES of the Road Haulage Executive ran 775,323,000 miles in 1951 and carried 46,862,000 tons of traffic. These figures compare with 701,663,000 miles and 46,524,000 tons flat' the previous year. The fleet strength increased from 39,932 vehicles at the
d of 1950 to 41,305 at the end of 1951 Examination of these statistics reveals a 9-per-cent, drop in payload carried per mile. In 1950, each vehicle carried an average of 1,166 tons for 17,571 miles, equivalent to 0.0663 ton per mile. Corresponding figures for 1951 are 1,134 tons per vehicle, 18,771 miles ;lad 0.0604 ton per mile.
The latest bulletin of "Transport Statistics," issued by the British Transfort Commission, shows that 57,417,000 miles were run by R.H.E. vehicles in the four weeks ended January 27, 1952, of which 10,863,000 were empty. The dead-mileage percentage was therefore -18.9. This compares with 16.8 per cent, fbr the corresponding period of 1951, in which 9,142,000 empty miles were covered out of a total of 54,268,000. Traffic receipts of the R.H.E. in the four weeks ended February 24, 1952, amounted to £5,868,000; those of the London Transport Executive road services to £3,153,000; and those of Scottish and provincial passenger transport operators owned by the B.T.C. to £2,873,000.
FIVE-DAY WEEK TURNED DOWN
APROPOSAL to work a five-day week, which, if implemented, would have increased the individual working days of bus crews, but would have afforded them two clear rest days at some week-ends, has been rejected by drivers and conductors of Leicester Transport Department.
The scheme was originated by the general manager, Mr. J. Cooper, who commented, after receiving the men's decision l As long as they know what they want, I am quite satisfied."
FINE FOR FALSE STATEMENTS
A LLEGED to have been anxious to r-v conceal from the traffic examiner that his lorries had been operating outside the 25-mile radius, Wilfred Thomas Law, 39, managing director of Messrs. Horton's Wolverhampton, was fined £25 on each of two charges of inciting his drivers to make false statements in their log sheets at Stafford Assizes last week. Defendant was also ordered to pay £50 costs.
OM. TO REMOVE TRAM LINES
CONCERN that there was apparently no plan for the recovery of abandoned tram lines was expressed by the London areas of the Traders' Road Transport Association, the Road Haulage Association and the Passenger Vehicle Operators' Association in a letter to the Ministry of Transport. It urged that steps be taken for the recovery of the steel and the reconstruction of the roads.
In reply, the Ministry stated that the Minister agreed with the suggestion. Whilst he had no power to order the work to be undertaken, as the responsibility rested with the local authorities, he would authorize expenditure up to , film. for the work, so that the question of cost would not present a stumbling block.
R.H.E. THEFTS INQUIRY
THE Road 'Haulage Executive has appointed Mr. Archibald Henderson, one of its members, to make a special and immediate inquiry into the thefts of lorries, particularly those carrying valuable loads. He began his investigations last week and has sought the assistance of Scotland Yard.
A statement issued by the R.H.E. declared that there had been a serious increase in thefts, despite precautionary methods.
OBITUARY
WE regret to announce the death of MR. G. T. GIBSON. He had been trafficsuperintendent of Brighton Transport Department since 1939. Mr. Gibson, who was 56, was with Hull Corporation until 1936, when he became assistant on traffic matters to the present general manager of Brighton Transport Department.
BiT.C. FINANCES QUESTIONED
AN immediate review of the finances of the British Transport Commission was called for in the House of Commons last week by four Labour members, two of whom were former
. Ministers. The motion tabled in the House was concerned mainly with the position of British Railways, but suggested that measures, including State assistance, should be considered to avoid the increase in fares due to be introduced on May 1, and to stabilize railway fares.
Minister Silent on Denationalization
ON Monday, Mr. J. S. Maclay addressed an audience of hauliers for the first time since his appointment as Minister of Transport. Those who hoped for some indication of the Government's programme for road transport were disappointed. His speech had wit and charm, but lacked information.
Mr. Maclay was the principal guest at the annual dinner of the Metropoli tan and South Eastern Area of the Road Haulage Association. He gracefully declined to be drawn by Mr. C. W. H.
Sparrow, chairman, who invited him to say whatever he liked. "Discretion is the better part of valour," he observed. He added that the Government realized the critical importance to the Nation of an efficient transport system. He still held the views on transport which he expressed in 1947.
Mr. Sparrow said he hoped that the industry would be removed from the whirlpool of politics as soon as possible. Many of those present at the dinner were running businesses over 100 years old. They had been built up on personal service. "When a promise is made by a haulier, it is kept, irrespective of any difficulty which is placed in his way," Mr. Sparrow added.
Hauliers could play a big part in putting the country back on its feet. They welcomed healthy competition in transport.
Over 1,100 people attended the dinner.
ARMY VEHICLES TO BE CUT
THE Army's requirements in nonarmoured vehicles are to be reduced. by 28 per cent. Mr. A. Head, Secretary of State for War, made this announcement in the House of Commons on Monday.
His predecessor, Mr. Strachey, had wished to reduce the Army's scale for vehicles by 20 per cent. and a 12-percent. cut had been achieved to date. "We intend not only to complete that reduction but to exceed it to a total of 28 per cent. in many establishments," said Mr. Head.
He also mentioned the Army's use of a new four-wheel-drive vehicle sufficiently powerful to tow trailers. More trailers would be used to decrease the number of self-propelled vehicles required.
1119,263 FOR HAULIERS
rAN Monday, the Transport Arbitrakftion Tribunal approved payments of compensation totalling £119,263 to three hauliers. 3. and H. Whitaker (Transport), Ltd., Oswaldtwistle, received £56,000, Blythe and Berwick (1928), Ltd., Bradford, £33,263, and F. A. Baylis, Ltd., Hambrook, Bristol, £30,000.
MINISTER IN DEMAND THE annual luncheon of the Man sion House Association on Transport will be held at the Trocadero, London, on March 28. The Minister of Transport, Mr. J. S. Maclay, will be the principal guest.