Doubtful Blessing
Page 27
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
ALTHOUGH the, railways have failed in their appeals against the grant by the Metropolitan Licensing Authority of A licences to Bouts-Tillotson Transport, Ltd.. this decision must not be regarded as an unequivocal triumph for the road-transport industry. The judgment is favourable to an individual company and the Appeal Tribunal declines to express an opinion on the question as to whether road trunk services should be eliminated in favour of a railway monopoly, but the decision is of doubtful benefit to long-distance road haulage in particular and the industry in general.
It is true that the Tribunal rejects the sweeping claims of the railways that their facilities are commercially suitable for all needs of trade and industry. Moreover, the rights of manufacturers and traders to some consideration in the matter of transport are recognized.
The decision does not, however, increase the security of tenure of the haulier. The Tribunal rejects the view of the Metropolitan Licensing Authority that the status quo should be maintained beyond the first currency period of a licence. In