Notes on the Government Road Haulage Scheme
Page 20
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Supplied by the Ministry of War Transport and the Hauliers' National Traffic Pool to keep the industry informed of developments, but not necessarily to be regarded as official pro
nouncements
JOIN THE FLEET Now.—The number of vehicles offered last week for the chartered fleet was 150, of which about 100 were found suitable. These additions bring to 1,400 the total number of suitable vehicles put forward. Further offers are invited, and the Minister hopes that the response in the next few weeks will be in keeping with the size and resources of the industry. No vehicle will be called up until required, and then only after adequate notice, but it is most important that the Ministry should know in advance how many vehicles are available.
"GIVE AND TAKE" AT THE PORTS.— The absorption of the port pools was by no means an easy matter, and the smoothness with which it was carried Out can be attributed only to the " give and take" spirit shown by all concerned. There is no reason why the arrangements now made should not fully maintain the high degree of efficiency reached by port operators in the past. Indeed, the absorption of the pools into the Scheme should provide some welcome elasticity, for every port will be able, in time of emergency, to draw on the resources of the whole country.
BUILDING THE DEFENCE LINES.— Operators of goods vehicles have entered into contracts with the Minister to provide him, in emergencies, with about 15,000 vehicles. This is only a small proportion of the number which could be offered and the Minister again desires to impress on operators that the equipping of the defence lines is a matter of the utmost urgency.
HAULIERS' NATIONAL TRAFFIC POOL. —Mr. T. Worsley, national organizer to the Scottish C.M.U.A., has been appointed as assistant general manager of the Pool. Last week a further 450 concerns were registered as members, making a total of 1,750,
• TONNAGES MOVED.—During the week ended February 21, the last date for which figures are available—the general cargoes moved under the Road Haulage Scheme amounted to some 13,000 tons. This figure does not include meat and livestock carried by the vehicles of the Meat Sub-section, or tonnage moved by the pools at Hull, Liverpool and Manchester, which had not at that time been absorbed