Policy witness called to PI
Page 31
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• In order that a director of two associated companies making applications for new licences could attend to clarify the policy position, a public inquiry was adjourned in Manchester on Monday. The North Western LA, Mr. C. R. Hodgson, said that it was desirable that a member of the Wolfenden family, which holds all the shares in T. Swindells and Son (Hauliers) Ltd. and holds an 80 per cent shareholding in Ludowne Haulage Ltd., should be present to explain the somewhat complicated position.
For the applicants, Mr. J. A. Backhouse explained that the two companies shared premises at Newton Heath, Manchester. Swindells was asking for a new B licence for 23 vehicles totalling 92 tons 12cwt. The previous licence, which had expired on January 31 1968 had authorized a total of 91 tons lOcwt. Due to the serious illness of its manager, the original licence application had been adjourned but work had continued under short-term licences.
In 1966 the family'decided to purchase a ready-made company which would take over the operating of the six A-licensed vehicles then owned by Swindells. An application was made and on February 24 1967 the LA granted such a licence to Quick Trip Transport Ltd. However, it was later found that the vendors of the company had sold it to someone else. Short-term licences were applied for to continue operating the vehicles and in November 1967 the company Ludowne Transport Ltd. had been acquired. The present application was being made to
place the vehicles under the new name.
Objecting on behalf of the Transport Holding Company, Mr. J. S. Lawton pointed out that there was an extensive overlap of customers and commodities which the two applicants had listed. If they operated as separate entities, the companies could individually increase their fleets. However, it was quite possible that everything was in order and the objectors might wish to withdraw after the position had been clarified, he said.
Short-term licences were granted in the terms of the new applications, pending the resumed inquiry.