6 6 B.T.C. Hol
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d the Scales"
IT seemed clear from the Thesiger
Report that in the areas where the British Transport Commission had a virtual road-rail monopoly, the body which now in practice held the scales between road and rail was no longer the Licensing Authority, but the B.T.C.
Mr. J. S. Wills, who said this on Wednesday at the annual meeting of East Yorkshire Motor Services, Ltd., added: "Now that the existence of this situation has been given official recognition, it will be surprising if public opinion does not clamour for the Minister to delay no longer in using the powers which he has taken."
He stated that fuel tax and Road Fund tax absorbed 1117,000 in the year ended September 30. He told shareholders: "The all-powerful State is very much a senior partner in your business. Direct taxation alone took, during the year, /152,000; you, the shareholders, will receive, in respect of the same year, a total of £55,000.
"In an endeavour to mitigate the serious effects of the fuel tax, we are experimenting with weight reduction in our vehicles... .
" I must emphasize, however, that such savings as may be gained in this manner, to offset ever-rising operational costs, are no answer to the overwhelming case which exists against the tax at its present level."
A mileage of 9.62m. was covered during the year, and 33.5m. passengers were carried. Revenue at /890,000 was some 110,000 lower than in the previous 12 months. Holiday-tour business expanded by 25 per cent; Next year, the co-ordination agreement with Hull Corporation would reach its 20th anniversary. This agreement was "an outstanding example of what can be achieved in the matter of co-ordinating passenger services without any form of common ownership," said Mr. Wills.
It was hoped to have the bus station at Scarborough, now under construction, ready for use before Easter..