May Contract Licence be Changed Metal Workers to Fit to
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Benefit Hauliers ? Plastics Domes HOW far may the evidence of a substantial shareholder in a haulage " company be taken into account in substituting a B for a contract-A licence, when the benefit would largely accrue to the hauliers?
This question was raised at Manchester last Friday when Ulster Ferry Transport, Ltd., Preston, sought the transfer of five articulated outfits from contract-A to B licence. Supporting evidence was given by Mr. J. W. Walker, chairman of U.F.T. and of Northern Ireland Eggs, Ltd., who hold 80 per cent, of the U.F.T. shares.
He told the North Western Licensing Authority, Mr. F. Williamson, that the egg company was formed in 1953, and eggs were first shipped to England by ordinary steamer services. Then the traffic was given to the British Road Services ferry service, who delivered direct to the customer.
When it was necessary to increase ferry traffic, B.R.S. were in the throes of denationalization, so the business was switched to Northern Ireland Trailers, Ltd. Later, Northern Ireland Eggs bought the Briggs packing station, which included six tractors and 12 trailers operated under C licence in England.
Fleet Increased They gradually increased the fleet strength to 12 tractors and more than 40 trailers, but Northern Ireland Trailers did not lose any of the work, because of the company's continued transfer from steamer to ferry services. .
Last year, Ulster Ferry Transport were formed to divorce transport from the egg business. The C-licence vehicles were put on contract to Northern Ireland Eggs, and eight special-A-licence vehicles were bought. Soon after the Suez crisis, Vorthern Ireland Trailers ceased to carry for them and U.F.T. had done the work since.
Mr. Walker explained that since last July, Northern Ireland Eggs had been buying as agents for the British Egg Marketing Board. The eggs belonged to the Board until they reached Preston, where they were sold to Northern Ireland Eggs, as whOlesalers.
Back-loads Lost The egg company were U.F.T.'s customers, although the whole of the carriage in England and Wales was paid for by the Marketing Board,. For convenience, U.F.T. submitted their accounts direct to the Board. The company wanted to cease contract haulage because they had lost their back-loads of empty egg boxes. Non-returnable cartons were now used by the Marketing Board.
For 'I.R.S., Mr. R. G. Davies, ferry manager, said ferry traffic in 1955 amounted to 67,601 tons. In the first 24 'weeks of this year they had carried 40,289 tons, and they could cope with at least 10 per cent, increase in traffic. If Northern Ireland Eggs gave up their contract licences he would be prepared to handle their traffic.
Mr. G. H. P. Beanies, for the British Transport Commission, pointed out that, although there was no evidence of a shortage of facilities, Northern Ireland Eggs had not sought the help of any outside haulier.
Mr, J. A. Dunkerley, for Northern Ireland Trailers, said the egg company must be restricted to their role of persons requiring transport. They were large shareholders in U.F.T., and wanted this company to make as much profit as possible. If the application were granted, the people to benefit would be the" hauliers, not the egg company. The earning capacity of the contract vehicles would be nearly doubled, yet the objectors' evidence showed that these vehicles could be dispensed with, as existing facilities were adequate.
Mr. James Booth, for the applicants. claimed that there had been no real evidence of abstraction from anyone. Their traffic could not be carried by any of the people who were prejudiced.
Reserving decision, Mr. Williamson said Mr. Booth should give advice to U.F.T. as to whether or not the carriage of eggs in the contract vehicles was legal. The vehicles were under contract to Northern Ireland Eggs, but the eggs might be the property of the Egg Marketing Board.