The Fog Lifts
Page 34
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TNCERTAINTY is at last being removed from fuel rationing and operators can plan for a limited period ahead. Although the hard attiftde of most of the Regional Transport Commissioners towards the issue of supplementary allowances has been caused partly by the tardiness of many operators in applying, it was also in pursuance of the policy of the Minister of Transport to force trade and industry to transfer traffic to the railways. In Government circles it is believed that the manceuvre has succeeded to the extent of placing about 5 per cent. of road traffic on rail.
No firm closing date for the submission of supplementary applications has been fixed, but those who delay any longer will, rightly, receive little or nothing. They have already caused more than enough trouble in the assessment of supplementary rations and operators who applied in good time have been penalized.
The Commissioners are now allocating fully the tonnage of fuel allowed them, except for a small reserve against exceptional difficulties and changes in the pattern of traffic. It is not intended to be used for the benefit of those who, through negligence, failed to apply at the proper time.
Little use has been made of the machinery for appealing against decisions of sub-district transport officers on supplementary applications, first to the district transport officers and finally to the Commissioners. It is there to be invoked and the Commissioners wish to avoid acute hardThip, and particularly to prevent hauliers from being forced out of business.
It will not, however, of itself be a good ground for appeal that an operator has not received 75 per cent. of his normal fuel supplies. The saving of 25 per cent. in fuel usage refers to the whole of road transport and it follows that if some operators are to receive more than three-quarters of their usual consumption to carry essential traffic, others must have less. That fact has several times been pointed out by The Commercial Motor and the confusion which has arisen on the subject is incomprehensible.
One of the problems of the Commissioners is to ensure that professional hauliers are allocated sufficient supplies to enable them to keep their heads above water. Hauliers are not being unduly partisan when they urge their claims in this direction. So long as they refrain from attacking other road users' allocations, they will maintain public respect and sympathy.
Great credit is due to the associations for their successful efforts to lift the fog which has hung over rationing. The Minister is assnred of their support at all levels.