Joint Action to Combat Rationing
Page 39
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SUPPLEMENTARY fuel allowances issued to Wycombe furniture manufacturers and hauliers for furniture transport, approximate, together with their basic allowance, to 50-60 per cent. of their normal usage.
This grant follows a report submitted to the Ministries of Transport, Labour and Fuel and Power by the Wycombc Transport Co-ordinating Committee, emphasizing that short-time working and unemployment would quickly spread if at least a two-day factory clearance of finished products was not maintained within the industry.
The committee consisted of delegates from British Railways, National Union of Furniture Trade Operatives, High Wycombe Haulage Association and the High Wycombe Transport Manufacturers' Society.
Because furniture is bulky and needs covered storage, frequent factory clearance is essential—even twice a day in some cases. Other transport difficulties are presented by its fragile nature and the small quantities in which many customers take delivery.
To save fuel and avoid dislocation. the committee's plan envisages a town transport scheme, using local rail facilities, factory and public haulage vehicles, and giving the fullest coverage of the United Kingdom with maximum fuel economy.
Normally 700-750 lorry loads of furniture leave Wycombe district weekly and by co-operation of all parties it is hoped to maintain a substantial part of this delivery programme. If rail is used for the trunk journeys, the manufacturer would be expected to supply vehicles for both collection and delivery.
The scheme is now developing operationally, and groups of manufacturers are -marrying outward retail deliveries.
As well as arranging for fully loaded vehicles to deliver over the maximum distance on outward journeys, raw material is being carried on return journeys. A blanket B licence has been granted to the British Furniture Manufacturers' Association.
A similar concession has not yet been made to Wycombe's allied areas and representations are being continued.