Scrap Licensing System, says M.P.
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FROM OUR POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT
J\TTACKS on aspects of commercialvehicle activities arc to be launched by tWo M.P.s—one• Conservative and one Labour—in Commons adjournment debates next week.
On Monday night, Capt. Hugh Delargy (Thurrock, Lab.) is to protest against the road haulage licensing 'system. Following complaints from two constituents, he attended a hearing in London and was greatly upset at what he discovered. He will argue that the system should be scrapped and that, broadly, the system of supply and demand should rule if a prospective haulier has the right vehicles and drivers.
I understand Mr. Delargy is particularly concerned about what he believes to be the " monopoly " aspect of the licensing hearings where big operators can abject to and prevent smaller men opening up in business. He wants to know to what extent public money is being spent to uphold a system with which he disagrees so deeply.
His particular case in point concerns bulk liquid carriers. The Ministry of Transport will put up a spokesman to reply.
On Tuesday,Mr. Graham Page (Crosby, C.) will make his protest about accidents and casualties involving heavy lorries. Mr. Page's argument will go back to the winter fog pile up on Ml, and I understand he intends to put questions on a number of points, including drivers' hours and mechanical matters.
He is likely to propose new restrictions within existing legislation to give greater Ministry control over heavy vehicles on the roads. Again, one of the Transport Ministers will be there to answer.