T.U.C. Demands Check on C Licences
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General Council Supports Resolution to. Bolster Up State Transport
ARESOLUTION from the Transport Salaried Staffs' Association, expressing concern at the abnormal increase in the number of C-licensed vehicles since the Transport Act, 1947, came into operation, was carried unanimously by the Trades Union Congress, at Blackpool, last Friday.
The resolution requested the General Council to urge upon the Government the desirability of a rigorous check on goods carried by traders' vehicles and for control to be exercised over the issue of C licences and their operation, "as the present position constitutes a serious menace to the success of the nationalized transport industry."
Moving the resolution, which was supported by the General Council, Mr. W. R. Gerrard said: "The road-rail controversy has been with us, ever since 1920 and even a Tory Government said, in effect, in the 1933 Road Rail Traffic Act, that co-ordination was the only solution of the traffic problems of our age. I would ask for freedom from the' handicaps which are facing us at the moment—handicaps which we believe our own Government have imposed and could remove to a large extent."
Four Handicaps Mr. Gerrard listed the handicaps under four headings: (1) Restriction of capital development. (2) Delay in the adiustment of charges in relation to the costs of raw materials.
(3) The burden of interest. (4) The increase in the number of C-licensed vehicles, which he regarded as "one of the major blunders of the Government in relation to nationalized transport.
"We prophesied that we should have to face a terrific increase in C-licence operators and history has borne out that fact. Mr. Barnes has admitted himself to be seriously disturbed by the abnormal increase," Mr. Gerrard said.
"If we could only be free from some of the handicaps I am sure we shall make a success of the nationalization of transport. In these days of pagan morality the operators of C licences— not all of them, but a very definite number—can evade the spirit as well as the letter of the law."
Nationalization Too Limited
Seconding on behalf of the Scottish Horse and Motormen's Association, Mr. J. Brannigan complained of the limited form of nationalization of road transport and described the position of the Road Haulage Executive in its restricted sphere of operation as unenviable,
"Traffic which should rightiy belong to the nationalized road service is being filched from under their nose by operators of A, B and C licences?' he added.
Mr. Brannigan gave several illustrations. One of the businesses taken over by the Executive was that of Chas. Alexander, of Aberdeen, "who grew from a half-share in a vehicle to over 100 vehicles."
"I suppose they have been paid in accordance with the provisions of the Act," he said, "which presupposes that A28 British Road Services would inherit the goodwill of the business. But did they? Alexander purchased another contractor's business and set up in opposition. He has been successful; not only has he been successful in collaring much local traffic, but he took away from British Road Services a semi-Government contract from the Milk Marketing Board."
In another instance, Mr. Brannigan• said, timber and other materials for the Royal Highland Show at Aberdeen were transported from Paisley to Aberdeen by B.R.S. After the show they had to be carried about 200 miles to Kelso for next year's show. But B.R.S. lost the contract to the Rpyal Highland and Agricultural Society, which was a C-licence holder and farmed out the work.
Supporting the resolution, Mr. H. W. Franklin, President of the National Union of Railwaymen, said he believed Mr. Barnes has made a great mistake in relation to C licences. "Every additional licence means one more vested interest against the State monopoly of transport," he declared.
LEYLAND'S AUGUST EXPORTS OVER £1M.
FOR the first time in any calendar month. Leyland exports topped Lim. in August. Physical difficulties were countered by shipping many chassis completely knocked down. Vessels have been chartered and a close watch kept on the availability of shipping space.
The "Cape Franklin" and the "Cape Sable" have been chartered for this month. They are expected to leave Avonmouth with vehicles for Latin America, from which region Leyland Motors. Ltd., has received orders for more than £9m. worth of underfloorengined buses.
MORE TRAMS TO GO
THE high cost of putting the South'. wick tram track into good order, and of re-laying lines over a bridge where a reconstruction scheme is in progress, have led Sunderland Transport Department to decide to abandon the trams on this route.
Last year, buses replaced trams on the Villette Road route. Tenders for the supply of 12 new double-deck buses are to be invited.
New Licensing Authority
THE Minister of Transport has accepted the resignation of Sir Alfred Faulkner, C.B., the Eastern Licensing Authority. Mr. W P S. Ormond, an assistant secretary of the Ministry, has been appointed to succeed him on October 19.
Mr. Ormond, who was educated at Wellington College and Pembroke College, Cambridge, was called to the Bar after leaving university and practised law abroad before the war. He entered the Civil Service in 1939 and became an assistant secretary in 1948.
NO SATURDAY WORKING BY GATESHEAD BUSMEN
A GGRIEVED at delay in settling the ripay claim for company bus employees, 350 drivers and conductors of the Gateshead and District Omnibus Co., Ltd., have decided not to work on Saturdays. The decision to do so was taken at a meeting at which 48 votes were cast in favour and 42 against.
Urging the men to rescind their action, the Transport and General' Workers' Union pointed out that the wage increase, when granted, would be back-dated. A stoppage of Saturday working would cause discomfort to the travelling public and loss of earnings to the men themselves.
Platform staff of the Bristol Tramways and Carriage Co., Ltd., have agreed to undertake rearranged duties, but have reaffirmed their decision not work overtime.
200 CROSS-COUNTRY ALBIONS
APRELIMINARY order for 200 cross-country six-wheeled vehicles has been placed by the Ministry of Supply with Albion Motors, Ltd. It is stated to be the first instalment of a much larger contract.
SHOW NEXT YEAR?
NO decision on whether to hold a Commercial Motor Show next year will be reached until November, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders told "The Commercial Motor" this week.