Fuel Situation Improving, But Confusion Persists
Page 37
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
A SURVEY made this week by The .1-1 Commercial Motor shows that there is still confusion over fuel rationing, particularly in sonic areas, but the position is improving.
MANCHESTER: Hauliers were gen zrally happier about the position early this week. The majority of short-distance hauliers had received an interim issue equal to 50 per cent. of the basic allowance, but there was no indication of the period for which it had been granted. Long-distance operators were already applying for a second issue of supplementary, and a few had already received it.
A spokesman for the Road Haulage Association expressed "complete confidence" in the Regional Transport Commissioner, Mr. F. Williamson.
Many traders had transferred to rail goods which were normally sent by road. and the rates were much higher. It w%s thought that the Government had not taken into consideration the effect on the nation's economy of the consequent increase in costs, YORKSHIRE: Following a conference xhich the Regional Transport Commissioner had with his district officers late last week, all applications for supplementary fuel are now to be dealt with at the regional headquarters.
Local officials of the R.H.A. have been assured that the position for the remainder of the current rationing period will soon be made known to operators. Many hauliers are expected to receive their second grant of supplementary fuel by tomorrow.
There is much criticism in the woo! industry of the way rationing has been applied to it. "The authorities seem to think wool goes into the mill on a sheep's back and comes out as yarn, not realizing that one lot of wool may be broken up into a number of smaller lots, distributed. and passed from mill to mill, even within the city [Bradford] boundary, before processing is complete," said a representative of the industry. "Transport in such cases cannot be switched to rail. The problem of recovering empties is greatly increased and may have a serious effect on trade."
SCOTLAND: An R.H.A, delegation was told by the Regional Transport Commissioner on Friday that every operator would be told his total allocation by next Monday. This would be issued to them in three four-weekly periods beginning on Monday, and on February 18 and March 18.
There would be liaison between the R.T.C. and the R.H.A., and members who had complaints would have them examined by the R.H.A. If they were considered justified they would be submitted, with their recommendations, to the R.T.C. A possible reason for late applications. Mr. L J. Stokoe suggested, was an altruistic but misguided attempt to by-pass the peak application period. Supplementary allowances received so far often amounted to only a quarter of i he basic allowance, he said.
NORTH.: Clarification of the rationing position was expected from a meeting between the R.T.C. and the R.H.A., As in other areas, inter-working was not a practical proposition until members had more knowledge of their total allocations. By Monday, the majority had received only a first-small supplementary allowance of petrol or derv.
SOUTH WALES: Following a meeting with the Regional Traffic Commissioner last Friday, hauliers were informed that they would be told within the next week or 10 days the total amount, and period, of theii supplementary allocation. By Monday most operators had received some supplementary, but were in doubt as to the period it covered.
A member who collected milk from farms, who had been told his first supplementary allowance was all he would get, had this decision reversed on appeal. . Pending clarification of total allowances to individual R.H.A. members, inter-work ing schemes had not been completed. ,
WEST MIDLANDS: Mere had been little change during the past fortnight. At Stafford, Sunley Transport (Stafford), Ltd., have had to close their depot and concentrate operations at Rugeley. Their normal weekly fuel consumption was 4,650 gal.; their total basic and supplementary allowance is equivalent to 1,500 gal, per week.
From Birmingham reduced operations were reported by the Alliance Motor Transport Co., Ltd., for whom supplementary allowances permit only 40 per cent. of normal running, despite their carriage of essential foodstuffs.
EAST MIDLANDS: A deputation at long-distance members of the R.H.A. was told by the Regional Transport Commissioner on Monday that all applicants for supplementary fuel would receive a decision by the end of next week. They would also be notified of the amount allotted to them for the remainder of the current rationing period. The Commissioner promised to review the radius restriction when the grants were completed.
EASTERN: Following complaints of inconsistencies in the issue of supplementary allowances, coupled with the unco-operative attitude of Ministry staff. the R.H.A. met East Anglian transport officers. Mr. G. W. Irwin, the area secretary, reported that some of his members had received a small supplementary allowance as a first and final allocation, whilst others had received approximately half the basic without comment as to whether it was a first instalment.
Public carriers had been told to offer their traffic to public carriers. Others had been notified that traffic for destinations beyond 20 miles must go by rail. In protesting, members had received lack of consideration of their problems. In some cases they had been unable to contact their sub-district transport offices.
WESTERN: Supplementary allowances were this week still being received by members without indication whether -they were first or final, but there had been some
improvement generally. A meeting of the long-distance committee had been called tia consider interworking by members, reported Mr. A. G. Akers, R.H.A. area secretary.
SOUTH: Many hauliers were carrying agricultural traffic, which probably explained why a high proportion of supplementary allowances had been received by members, an R.H.A. spokesman said. In some cases, second grants had been received without further application, but with no indication of the period covered. Some late applications had been reported. A meeting to review the fuel situation was held this week
DEVON AND CORNWALL: The Regional Transport Commissioner had been approached by the R.H.A. on behalf of members who had been refused supplementary and an issue was eventually made. As in other areas, the Commissioner's attitude was in marked contrast to that of the local transport officers. Supplementary allowances were less than half the basic allowance.
The R.H.A. secretary, Mr. W. E. Foster, said that whilst some inter-working between members had taken place, the absence of a clearing house in Plymouth restricted development,
LONDON AND HOME COUNTIES: Generally, the worry and frustration felt by hauliers has been dispelled by the various assurances given to R.H.A. officials. It is understood that both the Metropolitan and South Eastern Commissioners arc being "very reasonable" in reconsidering applications for supplementary which they have refused.