The Place of Casual Haulage
Page 34
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Details of the Arrangements Which Are Being Made to Include This in the Government Scheme
FOLLOWING last week's flood of material from the Ministry of War Transport, that with which we are dealing now is little more than a dribble, but, all the same, is of importance, as it all concerns the new road-haulage scheme inaugurated by the Ministry of War Transport.
There have been doultts as to the source from which the shc Divisional Officers will be drawn. Actually, they will come from the industry, but will aut6matically become civil servants. Each will be assisted by a permanent official from the Ministry, who will be fully acquainted with the various rules and regulations applying.
It is thought that probably the extraneous traffic which will be carried by the Government will constitute, at least, in the beginning, only a small percentage of the total, and there is
• little doubt that the rates charged for this will be on the ordinary commercial basis applying to the district concerned, thus avoiding any. danger of the Ministry being accused of rate Gutting.
Now, as to the capacity of the vehicles required, that most in demand will probably be not less,than six tons for the hired fleet, as most of the work will be the long-distance carriage of bulky loads. As regards other traffic passing through the industry's side of the organization, any appropriate types that are available will probably !se utilized, and this will be purely within the province of the staff of the area offices. It is believed that for the ".Defence Lines ", consideration will not be given to vehicles carrying under 30 cwt.
So far as the Government hired vehicles are concerned, the scheme certainly possesses attractive features, irrespective of criticism concerning the actual rates proposed. Vehicles on hire will be paid for so long as they are available, whether or not they achieve the 400 miles per week 'upon which the primary payment is based. The only proviso will be that if a vehicle has a breakdown or is otherwise incapacitated, the Ministry must be notified, for payment will be deducted for the days during which it is out of action, unless another approved vehicle be supplied in lieu. With regard to vehicles in the meat pool, we understand that rates of payment for these will continue to be arranged on the present basis.
There is little doubt that the great amount of work in arranging the details of this scheme will have surprised many operators, and not a few, even amongst those who do not wish to associate themselves with it, will benefit by studying the conditions of hire and of carriage and the insurance directions. • ' One of the documents missing from the original set is Conditions of Contract of Casual Haulage (Tonnage or Job Rates) "—RH/D/21, and the following is a precis.
RH/D/21. (1) These conditions shall apply (unless varied after consultation with the industry) to all contracts for casual haulage entered into With carriers by the Minister.
(2) The carrier undertakes to collect and deliver goods on his own vehicles within reasonable time during ordinary working hours, and immediately to advise breakdown or exceptional delay to the Minister's nearest office by telephone or telegram. If a vehicle breaks down on its journey the carrier must, unless otherwise instructed, substitute, at his own expense, another vehicle.
(3) No sub-contractors may be employed without permission.
(4) Unless notice to the contrary be given, the goods must be taken as having been accepted for carriage by the Minister under his Standard Conditions of Carriage, and the carrier, in accepting, will admit full knowledge of these and agree to indemnify the Minister. The carrier must state on his such conditions.
(5) The vehicle must be insured against third-party risks in accordance with Statute with an Insurer or any amendment thereof arranged by the Minister. The carrier must state on his invoice covering charges for any move
ment, whether such insurance covers use of the vehicle for unrestricted general haulage. When not so covered, a premium of 2 per cent, of the haulage chargAd concerned will be paid to the insurer by the Minister on behalf of the carrier and will be deducted from any sum due to the carrier from the Minister. • (6) The Minister has arranged with the " listed " insurer to provide goods in transit insurance to the extent of the Minister's requirements. The name of the insurer and the number of the polity must be stated on the carrier's invoice. The goods in transit insurance is subject to an excess of 50s. for each claim, which shall be borne by the carrier. The premium is 3 per cent. of the haulage charges payable by the Minister to the carrier under his con tract. If the carrier holds an existing goods in transit policy he must take up with the insurer the question of any return of premium due to him.
(7) Where any claim is for 50s, or less the carrier will deal with it direct.
If more than 50s. the insurer will deal with it on the carrier's behalf, and the latter will refund to the insurer any sum paid by the latter in respect of the first .50s.
(8) The carrier is an independent contractor and the Minister has no control over his employees or vehicles. The Minister is not responsible for loss, damage, personal injury or other claims arising out of any act or omission of the carrier, his servants or agents.
(9) Drivers will be deemed entitled to accept full responsibility for the carrier in regard to the loading and movements of vehicles.
(10) Receipt notes must be returned, .signed, to the Minister's office of issue not later than seven days from the delivery of goods, with the invoice.
(11) Statements of account for every month must be rendered to the Minister in the first week of the next month.
They must identify each journey and the Ministry office issuing the order.
Approved statements will be payable in the last week of the nionth in which they are received.
(12) With the approval of the carrier, caeh advances may be made to drivers and second men and will be debited to the carrier on payment.