Mr. Hanlon: "I Could Make ft Difficult for Some"
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HAULIERS were warned by Mr. J. A. T. Hanlon, the Northern Licensing Authority, at Newcastle upon Tyne on Tuesday, that he could find awkward regulaeons "to make things difficult" for some of them if he wished.
Then he added that he had no desire whatever to do so because there was no need for "this nonsense" of having trouble between the haulier and the Licensing Authority.
Mr. Hanlon was speaking at a public inquiry to which he had called R. Martin and Sons, of Gateshead, to produce their drivers' records for his inspection in accordance with section 186(5) of the 1960 Act.
. A director of the company, Mr. P. G. Whalton, said that when an inspector called at the Salt Meadows depot of his company and asked him to bring the records to the office, he consulted his solicitor, On being advised that there was no need to do this, he returned and informed the inspector.
Mr. Whalton added that he did not know whether he was doing the right thing or not, but the Authority could have the records if desired, and he apologized for not having produced them before. .
Mr. Hanlon said that, so far as Martin's were concerned. there had never before been any serious trouble between them and the Authority.
He added; "Whether it is to anyone's advantage to stir tip strife between the hauliers and the Licensing Authority— strife which did not exist before--I don't know. Nor is it for me to say; but for the past 30 years if officers wanted the records, or I wanted to see them, they have been produced."
Mr. Whalton: "I have produced them in the past. I apologize if I have done the wrong thing."
Mr. Hanlon said there was no need for apologies. It would create an impossible position if a haulier expected him to go to the depot to inspect records. It was only reasonable that the records should be brought to him for inspection.
Mr. Hanlon added: "If people think they have some rights to stand an, they are entitled to stand on them, but I have no doubt I could find some awkward things in the regulations that would make it difficult for the hauliers if I wanted to. There is no need for this nonsense."