The Spares Position to be Improved
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WHEN Mr. F. G. Smith, Adviser on W Maintenance to the Ministry of War Transport, took over his new task, he found that the Ministry was already doing a tremendous amount of work on transport maintenance, and it has been his job lo add to and co-ordinate this.
A survey has been taken of the whole country, comparing the situation now, in respect of premises, staff and equipment, with that existing in 1939. The Ministry of War Transport has decided, in conjunction with the Ministry • of Supply, to organize the work through , the Regional Transport Commissioners, which means that considerable use will be made of the certifying officers and examiners, who have already been carrying out work in this connection. They will possess full knowledge of the facilities available to operators, together with the merits of the claims of the latter in respect of ythicle maintenanre.
The liaison between the two Ministries will do much to assist in the provision of labour, equipment and materials, and it is hoped thatoperators and repairers of all types of vehicle will be able to look to the Regional organizations to help them out of their troubles. Behind the •Regions there is the organization at headquarters to cope with problems other than local, but local knowledge should be of great value.
The Ministry has introduced a Certificate of Need to assist in the obtaining of spares which, although in stock, are in very short supply. This will ensure that the parts are employed only in connection with essential vehicles.
Assistance in the matter of repairs will also be afforded by the new Essential Works Order dealing with repairs establishments, to which we have already made reference.
There may be a call by the Services .for further skilled artisans, and these must be replaced by women. Already. there is ample proof that women can perform many of the tasks hitherto carried out by men, especially if, by systematic planning, the big jobs are broken down into smaller tasks. In many works there is a high percentage of female labour, and it has been found suitable for the repair. of chassis, even Of the heaviest types.
It must be remembered that the Ministry scheme means that it really acts in the nature of an information bureau. The Ministry of Supply has the responsibility of producing the parts where these have to be manufactured, whilst the Ministry of War Transport will provide the necessary information regarding need.
In this cbnnection, Mr. R. G. Sprake, formerly works manager of the Car Mart, Finchley, has been appointed assistant to Mr. F. G, Smith. ALL BRITISH CARRIERS MAKES NEW ACQUISITION
THE sixth subsidiary or copstituent company acquired since 1937 by All British Carriers, Ltd., is the Monmouthshire Transport Co„ Ltd., Kingsway, Newport. This. operates 11 vehicles, was incorporated in 1930, and offers daily services over Monmouthshire, Mid. and East Glamorganshire from Cardiff and Newphrt. These will be continued.
Messrs. J. H. Watts, Guy Bown end John Freegua,rd are now directors of the acquired concern, which will operate from its present headquarters.
The fleet of the combine now totals some 120 vehicles, ranging from 5-cwt. vans to 65-ton machinery carriers and tankers for liquids in bulk; thus it can meet a wide variety of needs.
ESSENTIAL WORKS SCHEDULING FOR VEHICLE REPAIRS
APKICATIONS for scheduling under the Essential Works (General Provisions) Orders, 1941, may now be made in connection with general repair shops. Those attached to makers' ind operators' establishments have already been brought within the Orders.
The Ministry of War Transport will write to all such shops which have been admitted to the Register of Protected Establishments, inviting them to state whether or not they wish to make formal application for scheduling.
Repairers whose undertakings are not on this Register, but who wish to be scheduled, should apply immediately to the appropriate Regional Transport Commissioner, giving the number of employees engaged on this work and a short statement concerning the work upon which the repair shop is normally occupied.