Strong Action with Agents
Page 46
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711-1E raising of the booking-agency 1 question and of the alleged enticement of agents by London Coastal Coaches, Ltd., in both the Metropolitan and Eastern Areas, by George Ewer and Co., Ltd., has so far produced only negative results.
In the former area, Mr. Gleeson Robinson granted the application by Southdown Motor Services, Ltd. (on which the agency question was raised), to take over various Southsea services, but he completely ignored the agency objections—both Geo. Ewer and Keith and Boyle (London), Ltd. In the Eastern Area-, where the question was again raised by the Ewer concern when applying to modify Messrs. Holliday and Bangs's East Anglian licences, the application was rejected, but, although the Commissioners had given every indication that they would comment on the alleged " enticement of agents," they did not refer to it in their decision.
As the question has now been raised in three areas—it had previously been brought up in the South Eastern Area in connection with " singles from the
Coast," but not been admitted in evidence—we understand that George Ewer and Co., Ltd., has suggested that, as there is real cause for grievance on the part of a large section of the trade, the Commissioners of the three areas concerned should hold a meeting thoroughly to investigate the matter. At the time of closing for press, no reply has been received.
Counsel endeavoured, at Ewer's lengthy appeal, last week, on "singles from the Coast" it occupied two days and has been adjourned until May 20), to introduce the agency question, arguing that the South Eastern Commissioners had been wrong in not admitting it. Sir Henry Wynne, who
heard the case, was himself undecided on that point, but informed the appellant that he would settle the admissibility of the evidence before the adjournment and notify the parties. Nothing has been heard yet.
The admittance of the evidence might mean either a rehearing of the original application or a Ministerial announcement on the agency question. In 1932, the then Minister ruled that the Commissioners had no jurisdiction over agents, or, rather, over the commissions paid by operators to their agents. The alleged "enticement of agents" might be construed differently...
In the meantime, the Ewer concern has itself taken the matter up forcibly with all its agents. In a circular issued last Saturday, the company draws agents' attention to the "rapid increase" in restrictive agreements stated to be imposed by London Coastal Coaches, Ltd.
" This company," it is stated, "is now putting proposals before some of its friendly competitors, including Messrs. Timpson and Sons, Orange Luxury Coaches, United Service Transport Co., Blue Belle Motors, Ltd„ and others, as a result of which proposals, if adopted, any agent who restricts bookings on one of the companies named, will automatically deprive himself of the benefit of the services of all operators who become party to such an agreement."
If the proposed agreement between the "big five" seasonal operators mentioned above—one is already definitely following Ewer's lead—can be brought about, it will mean that, where •a coastal agent has been permitted to book only on the particular seasonal operator with a local picking-up point, his bookings will no longer be accepted by that operator.