HATTER GRANTED FIVE ON A
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I N a written, reserved decision the Metropolitan Licensing Authority, Mr. D. I. R. Muir, has granted a new A licence for five articulated tankers with a "Bulk liquids, Great Britain " user to Hatter Bros. (Bulk Transport) Ltd.. Grays (The Commercial Motor, March 12).
The LA points out that the only open A-licence vehicle operated by Hatter's is a substitute one for customers for whom they provide vehicles for a "bulk liquids, Great Britain" contract. "I find it difficult to understand how a vehicle restticted in this way ever came to be put on an A licence ", the LA notes, and goes on to say that although the application is strictly one to vary an A licence he agrees with Mr. Balne's submission that "it is in all but name an application for a new A licence to carry bulk liquids unrestricted as to time or place ".
In view of certain allegations made during the inquiry the LA hopes " that Hatter Bros. feel confident that their application for additional vehicles will be considered strictly on their merits and determined on the evidence of need produced in support ".
The LA affirms that Mr. Zimmerman's evidence on behalf of Benzole Producers was not shaken by the objectors and adds: "This to my mind is the sort of case where the evidence of substantially one customer is enough." Because of doubts as to unused tankers on A licence during simmer months the LA is making the grant for one year only, and a new licence in continuation will be conditioned on a detailed statement showing vehicle employment month by month.