P.M. Apologizes to Col. Jerrett A FTER the Prime Minister had
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recently criticized, in the House of Commons, the post-war increase in the size of C-licensed fleets, Col. A. Jerrett, president of the Traders' Road Transport Association, wrote to him pointing out the reasons and refuting his adverse
implications. A personal reply was received from Mr. Churchill, in which he apologized for any untoward construction that could' be applied to his remarks, and said that Col. Jerrett's letter would be passed to the Minister of Transport for attention.
Col. Jerrett revealed this when he spoke at the autumnal meeting of the East Midlands Division in Nottingham last week. He reiterated the need for vigilance by C-licensees, for whatever Government were in power it was always likely to panic and place new restrictions upon ancillary users. He described the levy as a "silly, irritating thing," particularly for C-licensees, who had nothing to do with nationalization.
He compared the amount it would raise with the total taxation from vehicle users and pointed out that fuel bore a 143 per cent. tax, whilst the duty on luxury goods was only 100 per cent. Purchase tax on vehicles was a serious tax on vital plant.
Mr. S. C. Bond, divisional chairman, said that new representations were being made by the T.R.T.A., together with the Road Haulage Association and the Passengei Vehicle Operators' Association, in an endeavour to obtain some relief from taxation in next year's Budget.
Mr. J. W. Fletcher, East Midland Licensing Authority. was a guest at the luncheon which preceded the meeting.
BUS STAND ORDER REVOKED
AJUDGMENT issued by Lord Strachan has set aside an order made by Dunoon magistrates allocating bus stands at the junction of Pier Road and Dunoon Esplanade to three local bus operators. Alex Baird. Ltd., Dunoon Motor Services, Ltd.. and Gold Line Garage contended that the stands were part of the public highway and that the magistrates had no power to allocate them.
The magistrates maintained that the area had been used for stands for touring coaches for many years and that they had regularly allocated stands to various operators.
PERPETUAL MOTION
A SPECIAL vehicle to carry 30 ./-1 passengers on a shuttle service at Schipol airport has been designed by Royal Dutch Airlines. It is powered by a 20 h.p. oil engine and runs continuously between hangars, storage buildings and the passenger terminal at 7i m.p.h. Passengers enter and leave while the vehicle is in motion.
It was introduced at. the airport, which employs 7,500 people, because much time used to be lost in cycling and walking from one part to another.