Hauliers Attael b tate Transport
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FOR the first time in years delegates to the conference launched an attack on British Road Services. It was led, by Mr. G. C. Goodier (North Western (Eastern) Area), who called for the immediate disposal of B.R.S. Hauliers, he said, were burying their heads in the sand of a Conservative Government. The timing of the last general list of units issued by the British Transport Commission in April, 1955, was such that the level of tenders was depressed by the imminence of the General Election in June. The tenders were held. not to be acceptable, but it was untrue that there was no continuing demand for transport units.
The Government had .pledged themselves to denationalization, and failed. Mr. Goodier declared. He was apparently stung by the recent purchase by B.R.S. of a large haulage business (presumably the Francis parcels undertaking in London). He denied that it would be wrong to prevent B.R.S. from buying businesses on the grounds that some R.H.A. members would be deprived of . the opportunity of selling out.
He asked the Association leaders to be more belligerent. They were, he thought, too afraid of causing offence.
Mr. R. S. Heaton, supporting Mr. Goodier, declared that B.R.S. gave poor service while they held • a monopoly. Britain would haVe been forced out of the —world markets if the State haulage rates had not been curbed.
His solution of the problem was threefold. (I) Tostop any increase in the B.R.S. fleet. (2) To close down all depots losing money. (3) To close the rest of the depots when railway modernization had been completed.
Mr. R. B. Brittain quickly sprang to the defence of B.R.S., who, he said, were fair competition offering good conditions and proper rates. He thought, however, that the general level of charges was a much more urgent matter than denationalization. He pointed out that when drivers were awarded an increase in statutory wages the benefit had to be shared also by other members of the staff.. He referred to the high cost of traffic congestion and the delays at docks and in customers' premises. The proposed wage increases would on account of overtime average about 15s. a week and higher haulage rates were urgent.
Mr. F. Rudman expressed alarm at the -future prospects presented by the acquisition of small hauliers by big undertakings, whether State-owned or free enterprise.
Mr. W. Bridge, another out-and-out denationalizer, maintained that high prices had prevented the disposal of B.R.S. units. After five years of nationalization he offered twice as much as he had been paid for his vehicles taken over by the B.T.C., and his tender had been refused. He refuted Mr. Brittain's claim that many private enterprise hauliers were facing bankruptcy.
Mr. F. C. Harfoot, who worked for B.R.S. during nationalization, championed their cause. They kept up reason-. able rates, gave a fair deal and paid their sub-contractors promptly, which was not the case with many free enterprise hauliers.