PITFALLS OF SUB-CONTRACTING
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THE pitfalls of inadequate subcontracting were spotlighted at Maidstone, Kent, last week, when agricultural goods and requisites suppliers, W. H. Skinner and Son Ltd., from nearby Marden, were granted an A-licence variation.
For the applicant, Maj. S. G. Champion told the South Eastern Licensing Authority, Mr. H. J. Thom, that the local firms sub-contracted by Skinner and Son were now unavailable, and consequently five vehicles of 321 tons and four vehicles of 18 tons were required. Managing director Mr. Gerald Tomkinson said he already had nine vehicles and a trailer on A licence, and that short-term licences had been granted in June until December for four vehicles of 41. tons each. However, he was still awaiting the delivery of two of these.
Referring to sub-contractors, Mr. Torrikinson said; " Foreign-based vehicles, have enough work of their own—and they are inclined to damage goods and deliver them late, which is not up to our customers' requirements. It is purely a chance business."
"There is some evidence of complaints about sub-contracting ", agreed British Road Services representative Mr. G. Mercer, "but these complaints do not justify the granting of allowances for extra vehicles." His comments were reiterated by Mr. H. Mann, of British Railways.
Giving his decision, Mr. Thorn told the applicant and objectors: "There has been A78
no attempt here to give me the picture
that I require. It has not been put forward that the vehicles have been overstrained in any way. However, I am prepared to agree that it is unreasonable to expect the applicants to rely, as much as they do, on foreign-based vehicles."
Mr. Thom said he thought he was being " very generous" in allowing for the provision of four vehicles of 18 tons unladen weight,