"Closed Shop" Alleged
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QOUTH-EASTERN Traffic Commis sioners had established a "closed shop" principle by refusing Pangbourne Coaches, Ltd., an excursion and tours licence but granting one to Reliance Motor Services, Ltd., of Newbury, it was contended at a Ministry of Transport appeal inquiry in Reading last week.
Pangbourne Coaches were appealing against the Traffic Commissioners' refusal to grant them a road service licence in respect of excursions and tours starting from Upper Basildon and granting a fresh licence to Reliance Motor Services for modified excursions and tours starting' from Yattendon.
For the appellants, Mr. E. H. Duce said the company first applied for an excursion licence last year. Reliance Services objected, and a licence was refused. A second' application with variations was made in March this year and heard at the same time as a similar application by Reliance. Again his client's application was turned down, but a licence granted to Reliance Services.
"It was as a result of the 1960 application and the evidence given then that Reliance woke up to the fact that they had not made the best use of their existing facilities, and to the fact that there was potential business in the area." declared Mr. Duce.
At the March hearing the Traffic Commissioners made it quite clear that where there were two applications, one made by an existing operator and the other by a new operator, they would always prefer that of the existing operator.
"It has now been made quite plain that the Tribunal will not grant any new licence to a person or firm not already an existing operator, so all excursion business is confined to existing operators," went on Mr. Duce, "A closed-shop principle seems to have been established."
The decision of the Commissioners was inequitable having regard to the evidence, he contended. Existing operators ought not to be able to rely on the protection afforded them by the Traffic Commissioners in not admitting new operators when an existing operator objected.
"In this case the Minister ought to consider giving Pangbourne Coaches something out of their application," Mr. Duce told the Ministry Inspector, Mr. J R. Willis.