R.H.E. Made Profit Last Year
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AHINT that the Road Haulage -Executive, which incurred a loss of about Lim. in 1950, had made a profit last year, was given at a luncheon of the Mansion House Association on Transport, last Friday, by Lord Hurcomb, G.C.B., K.B.E., chairman of the British *Fransport Commission.
He suggested that those making gloomy predictions concerning the financial affairs of the B.T.C. for the past year should wait for the accounts. The progress made—" and not the least in 'toad haulage "—would be agreeably reflected in them.
This advance was in nearly all the Commission's branches, except for London Transport, the receipts of which fell £2m. short of the expenses It was only fair that those who, in the past, had enjoyed exceptional privileges should be brought nearer to the modern standard for fares. It was nearly 30 years since a comprehensive review of fares had been undertaken. Special rates for one section meant that others must suffer.
The B.T.C. was contributing £27m. annually to the Exchequer. Wages alone had risen by £47m. since December, 1950, whilst the three increases in the duties on liquid fuel cost £154m. per year.
Mr. J. S. Maclay, Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation, said that the Government would see that transport obtainee its full share of those things that were essential.
The new president, Sir Alfred Faulkner, was absent in Ulster, and the chair was taken by the chairman of the Gonna, Mr. M. F: Barnard, M.Inst.,T. -Ha suggested that as Belisha beacons were now not wanted, they should be painted red and used to mark the limits of parking at zebra crossings.
[A spokesman of the B.T.C. told "The Commercial Motor," this week, that he could not substantiate a report in the " Sunday Times" that the Commission's deficit had been halved.]