New Initiative to be Shackled ?
Page 41
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
IS the restored freedom of initiative in road transport to be circumscribed by forms of licensing found necessary in other countries which have tried to run competitive State services?
This question was asked by Brig-Gen. Sir H. Osborne Mance, last week, at the annual dinner of the Merseyside and District Section of the Institute of Transport.
ffe said that in 1947, a fragmentary and uncontrolled industry was converted into a national monopoly which gradually developed, accepted increasing obligations and offered some prospect of ultimate stability. Now, the previous situation was being restored and it would be difficult to
give efficient service without subsidies,
Road transport was supposed to be integrated with other forms of transport. That was the position so long as different forms were financially associated, but integration would be difficult were they not. Brig.-Gen. Mance wondered how far the minds of different operators were in tune with the suggestion that there should be a single commercial organization for selling transport.
Mr. C. R. S. Hall, chairman, said that in 1947 a great section of the industry became nationalized, rationalized and mesmerized. Now it was to be denationalized, decentralized, and, he feared, devitalized.