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Arranging New Vehicle Allocations

19th May 1944, Page 37
19th May 1944
Page 37
Page 37, 19th May 1944 — Arranging New Vehicle Allocations
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Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

ON May 5 we published a note concerning a restriction on licences to acquire new vehicles, pointing out that the R.T.C.s have been asked not to recommend, for the time being, any fresh applications for additional vehicles, although consideration would be given where applications were for new vehicles to replace old ones used on essential work.

The point is that the programme for, say, 1944, has to be framed at the beginning of 1943, and manufacturers. must be allowed at least nine months to obtain the necessary materials for their construction. There are the competing claims of the Services to be sorted out in making allocations, so that theMinistry must give an estimate between a year and two years ahead of supply. Even this estimate may have to be adjusted according to demands in other directions; it might in some cases be possible to increase production; in others it may be necessary to reduce it. The R.T.C.s are kept. fully informed of such modifications, and they regulate accordingly_ At the beginning of the year the position was that the Ministry could allocate more vehicles than were called for; now, the reverse holds good. Actually, applications have increased by 50 per cent. as compared with January, and two-and-a-half times the number received in the middle of last year.

Licences to acquire are normally granted about three months ahead of delivery, although for. certain types, such as cesspool and gully emptiers, this

is increased to., six months. The longer gap also applies to specially, large vehicles and the electric type. Some types are now in such demand that, even on present applications, it will take nine months to meet them, although, occasionally, where there is special need for priority, an application will receive earlier consideration. The position now is that it would be unwise to make any applications for

at least six months. In goods vehicles, in particular, in quite a number of makes, applications will cover the supply of these to the end of the year, the heavier models, of course, being more difficult to produce, and it may take 15 months in this case.

It is interesting to observe that there is now no demand for 12-tonners; they have been replaced by the 15-ton eightwheelef.

However, whenever , heavy vehicles become available, all the applications, whether early or later, are reviewed.

As regards buses, the production is not now really unsatisfactory, there being sufficient to keep operators going. No separate applications are received by the Ministry in connection with these. The R.T.C.s are given quotas, and they recommend what should be allocated. The Ministry is about to issue licences to purchase to cover p.s.v. production to the end of the year. These concern. Guy. Daimler and Bristol doubledeckers, and Bedford single-deckers.

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Locations: Daimler, Bristol

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