Driver Took the High Road --with Nylons
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THE dismissal of 19 drivers and the hiring of former Scotland Yard officers to check fuel records were among steps taken by Home Counties Plant Hire, Ltd., in an attempt to ensure that their drivers' records were accurate. said Mr. Norman LettS, representing the company at a public inquiry before the Metropolitan Licensing Authority in London last week.
The inquiry was into whether the Authority should revoke, suspend or curtail the company's A licence for convictions concerning the keeping of drivers' records, but in a written decision the following day, Mr. D. I. R. Muir said he had decided to give Home Counties the benefit of the doubt and to take no action.
Mr. Muir said that the convictions were for 20 summonses in October, 1959, and 95 summonses in January, 1961. He said it was necessary for it to be proved that
the company was guilty of wilfulness in regard to the records.
Mr. Letts said that the offences were completely beyond the control of Home Counties. The employer had no power to alter a record kept by his driver. All he could do was to check it as best he could, and if he found frequent inaccuracies he could dismiss the driver.
The Authority's examiners had followed two drivers. One of them was in fact carrying on another business on his own account at the same time as he was driving for the company. He was selling nylon stockings and other articles at 20 to 30 cafés on the route to Scotland.
The other driver who had been followed knew what was happening and took the examiners for a ride all round the country. "He finished by pulling up somewhat rapidly, approaching your examiners and addressing them in basic English."