Contract Work : Final Warning
Page 24
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UNLESS some contract-carriage operators in the Midlands brought themselves within the law, they would be prosecuted, said ,Mr. W. P. James, Chairman of the West Midland Licensing Authority, last Friday.
" Some time ago," he said, "I drew attention to the widespread operation of private coach parties of doubtful legality and asked operators to bring themselves within the law. There was a limited response.
"We recognize that operators may have some difficulty in deciding what is a special occasion, which, in view of the recent decision in the Divisional Court, must be special at the destination and not only to the members of the party. But there are considerable blocks of traffic which seem to be clear breaches of the spirit of the law.
"Two examples (and there are others) are traffic to Blackpool Illurnia22 nations and to pantomimes, the nature of which cannot be regarded as private-party operation.
"Licensed operators are feeling the impact of this type of illegal operation ... and we shall be bound to prosecute in cases where there has been a clear breach of the spirit of the law.
"It is our duty to protect those who have obtained licences. And we give this final warning in the hope that there will be a quick and definite response."
Mr. D. E. Skelding, manager of the Road Passenger and Transport Association, Birmingham, said afterwards that members were being advised to apply for licences for services to Blackpool Illuminations and pantomimes. He believed that the steps being taken by the Licensing Authority would ultimately be to the benefit of everyone and the Association pledged their support.