Ulster to Have Competition
Page 49
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CONTRARY to the implied suggestions in the White Paper published by the Northern Ireland Government (The Commercial Motor, November 16), Lord Glentoran, Northern Ireland Minister of Commerce, last week announced that it had been decided to introduce a competitive system of road goods transport in Ulster.
Such a system, he said, would have advantages on balance over the present monopoly of the Ulster Transport Authority. Fuel rationing made it impossible to carry out the Government's intention at once, but the Government would work out the best way of introducing competition to be ready to present the necessary legislation at the appropriate time.
Lord Glentoran stated that the provisional losses of the U.T.A. for the year ending December 30 were about £320,000—substantially less than forecast in March.
Lord Glentoran told the Ulster Parliament that in timing the change-over to private enterprise the Government would try to have regard so far as possible to the interests of the employees, the finances of the tran,sport undertaking, and the smooth running of services. He could not give the impression that favourable circumstances would occur in the immediate future.
56% OF VEHICLES DEFECTIVE OFFICIAL vehicle examiners• who recently carried out a spot check at Oldbury Road, Smethwick, inspected 66 vehicles and found 56 per cent. of them to be defective. Eight vehicles were immediately prohibited from using the roads.
This was stated at Smethwick court last week, when six of the owners of the banned vehicles were summoned. Defendants were Joseph Sankey and Sons, Ltd.. Albert Street, Bilston; Campbells (Smethwick). Ltd.; Charles Herbert Richardson, Stafford Street. Walsall; Albert Smith, Colley Street. West Bromwich; Albert William Stokes, 250 Spon Lane. West Bromwich, and F. L. and D. L. Ryland, 1 Woodburn Road, Handsworth. Each was fined £4 with El 4s. costs.
SITTINGS AS USUAL
THE Northern Licensing Authority said last week that he honed to continue normal sittings to consider applications for new licences and modifications. hut if circumstances became worse it might be necessary to suspend them.
Only about half the hauliers in the area had applied for their fuel rations.
NORMAL LICENSING SUSPENDED 1% AR. W. P. JAMES, chairman of the 1V1 West Midland Traffic Commissioners, said last week that the normal working of the traffic court had been suspended, and it could not be said for how long. Some public sittings would, however, be held.