Edwards Transport Case May Be Reopened
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ATHREAT to reopen a case concerning Edwards Transport (Frome), Ltd. (The Commercial Motor, July 22), was made -by Mr. S. W. Nelson, Western Licensing Authority, at Bristol last week. "The Whole matter has become very unsavoury," said Mr. Nelson, after listening to evidence submitted when an application for a new B licence was made by Mr. E. A. Hall, Tower House, Garston, Frome, Somerset.
The licence was required for a 4f-tonner to be acquired, to carry quarry materials and concrete products within 150 miles, Mr. Hall told Mr. Nelson. He added that in October, 1959, he purchased a vehicle XYC 192 through Mr. P. G. Higgins, Gillingham, a motor dealer. Hire-purchase arrangements were made through the dealer but he insured the vehicle himself. An A licence disc was displayed on the vehicle and Mr. Hall told the Authority that he knew this disc was owned by Edwards Transport (Frome), Ltd.
" Isn't this the vehicle which we recently heard so much about and for which a licence was granted to Edwards Transport when Mr. Edwards stated he owned the vehicle and produced the registration book to prove this? " asked Mr. Nelson.
No Registration Book Mr. Hill then said that he sold XYC 192 on June 20 to Coventry and Jeffs, 1.td., Bristol, for £800 in part exchange for a new vehicle which was the subject of the present application. The Authority then stated: " Do you mean to tell me you paid this large sum amounting to nearly £1,300, including hire-purchase payments, and you never received the registration book?"
• The applicant: " That is so, sir, but I paid the taxation for the vehicle."
Asked how this had been done, Mr. Hall stated that Mr. Edwards taxed it and then charged him for it. Asked by Mr. Nelson how he used the vehicle, Mr. Hall said: "Mr. Edwards found the work for me and then sent me a cheque, less his commission, and he paid me £10 per week wages."
Mr. Nelson: How did you manage about income tax?"
Mr. Hall: "That was deducted out qf my wages, but I have not paid any on the profits. I also maintained the vehicle and paid for the fuel."
At that point the Authority said: " It looks as if I shall have to go into this Edwards case again with regard to this vehicle." He then asked the applicant what happened when XYC 192 was sold. The applicant replied that Mr. Edwards had taken the A-licence disc, and since June 20 he had been working the vehicle under a hiring allowance owned by Messrs. E. D. and A. S. Inman, Warminster.
Mr. Albert Inman, from the witness box, then informed Mr. Nelson that he was not operating any vehicles as E. D. and A. S. Inman. That firm held a hiring allowance for only two vehicles, he
ts:to added. Asked how the licence had been used during the past 1,2 months. the
witness replied: " I do not know. 1 employ three people in the office to look after that side of the business."
In answer to Mr. Nelson's directive to answer the question Mr. Inman said: "I can't because I don't know." The Authority said: "You will be hearing from mc with regard to this."
He then investigated a further file with regard to this concern and showed surprise that following a grant of 1() vehicles in 1955, and an additional six vehicles in 1956. all of them had been sold.
Mr. Edwards then spoke from the back of the court and stated that he wished to refute all the evidence that had been given with regard to his company during. the inquiry. Mr. Nelson said: "We will leave it at that for the moment: the whole matter has become very unsavoury."
Following agreement with the objectors, who included a number of independent operators, British Road Services and British Railways, a licence was granted for quarry materials to non-rail-connected sites within 150 miles and concrete products within 15 miles.
SHORTER WEEK REJECTED
AFTER meeting five trade union representatives, proposals to introduce a 42-hour week for craftsmen employed at the depot were rejected by the Southport Transporl Committee, last week.