"Give Sufficient Evidence"-Inspector
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"ANY operator who seeks to enter a new field, and who is aware of the considerations to which the Minister attaches importance, should be at pains to supply sufficient information to enable a true comparison to be made between the facilities offered by the direct road and the road-rail services."
This observation was made by Sir Maurice Holmes, a Ministry of Transport inspector, after hearing an appeal by Messrs. Sunter Bros. against the Yorkshire Licensing Authority's refusal to grant them a licence to operate excursions from Topcliffe R.A.F. camp to London, Liverpool and Manchester, and from Leenting R.A.F. camp to London, Liverpool and Newcastle. In dismissing the appeal, the Minister also revoked a licence for excursions from Topcliffe and Leerning to Glasgow.
Messrs. Sunter Bros. were also ordered to pay the costs in respect of both cases.
Mr. T. H. Campbell Wardlaw, for Messrs. Sunter Bros., said it was proved beyond doubt that seivices provided by road operators were more convenient for these excursions than road-rail facilities. A seat was guaranteed for each passenger, sleep was possible on a coach journey involving no changes, and experience had shown that the reduction in rail fares had in no way abated the airmen's preference for road travel.
In their case against both the existing and proposed services, the Railway Executive produced detailed schedules showing that the time spent on the various road-rail services was invariably much less than by road. If, however, the Minister thought that the existing co-ordinated services were insufficient, United Automobile Services, Ltd., with whom the railways operated, should be offered the opportunity of running road services.
MANCEUVRE TO REDUCE PRICE ALLEGED
"THE fact that at this late hour the applicants have withdrawn merely
confirms the allegations which would have been made on behalf of my clients that the application was a manoeuvre to enable certain persons to purchase Messrs. Morrison's business at more favourable terms," said Mr. A. Davies, representing objectori, at a hearing of the South Wales Licensing Authority.
He was referring to Jeremy Garages, Ltd., Tenby, who, at the last minute; withdrew their application for a licence to operate certain excursions and tours.
The Authority, Mr. H. J. Thom, said:
"We can only say that we fully agree with what counsel has said. . . . This last-minute withdrawal of the application without informing the objectors was surely reprehensible, to say the least."
The objectors represented by Mr. Davies were D. J. Morrison, Ltd., and Grey Garages, Ltd., both of Tenby.