Are "Hard Core" Operators Responding Slowly?
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THE Road Haulage Branch of the Ministry of War Transport has obtained offices in New Cotton Exchange Building, Bixteth Street, Liverpool, and a staff of 60 will be employed there in about a month's time. This is the divisional office, Mr. R. B. Stockdale being the divisional road haulage officer and Mr. S. E. Evans, who was D.T.O. at Oxford, the divisional staff officer. The premises include a protected control room in the basement, which will be operated on a 24-hour-day basis. s
The Manchester area office is situated in Pall Mall House, 20, Church Street.
From inquiries which have been made in the area by a representative of " The Commercial Motor," it is dear that the enrolment of vehicles for the "hard core" is not yet large enough. This may be due to misunderstandings and to the need Rel. clarification of
certain points about which doubts have been expressed. Clear-cut answers' would, it is believed, definitely influence hauliers to make up their minds what to do The writer learnd of a case where a Liverpool firm operating a moderately large fleet, a few days ago, received from the Ministry an intimation expressing disappointment that none ' of their vehicles had been tendered. The letter went on to say that the offer; of five vehicles would be considered a reasonable contribution. That number represents approximately one-third of the fleet strength. As if to underline that view, the Ministry sent five registration forms.
Although enrolnaent for the "hard core ", is quite voluntary, there does not appear to be the slightest doubt that, slow as has been the offer of vehicles, the Government-controlled fleet will be mobilized.