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Gilbraith's Get Tankers, But Licence Switch Held Up

1st September 1961
Page 32
Page 32, 1st September 1961 — Gilbraith's Get Tankers, But Licence Switch Held Up
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Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

THREE new tankers to carry "tar and like products" were granted by the North Western Deputy Licensing Authority, Mr. A. H. Jolliffe, at Lytham last week to Gilbraith Tankers, Ltd.

Mr. J. Backhouse, for the applicants, stated that the consumption of fuel oils was increasing, and the company wanted an A licence for eight vehicles of 761 tons to carry tar and like products (including fuel oils) in bulk; mainly Lancashire, Yorkshire, Cheshire, with occasional longer journeys as required.

Five of these units were already licensed to Gilbraith, and three were to be acquired. The vehicles would be occupied all the year round and the supply of traffic would be steady. It was now impossible to meet the demands of all customers, and they had difficulty in sub-contracting tankers.

Mr. J. Gilbraith, managing director. pointed out that they had had offers of contracts with durations of one to three years. If the application was refused, he did not know where he was going to obtain vehicles.

He told Mr. R. Coffey, objecting for British Railways, that they were given only a few hours' notice to provide transport, and the nearest operator from whom they could hire was 25 miles away. During the past three months they had refused enough work to keep two vehicles fully employed.

Outside User?

Mr. Gilbraith admitted that he had been carrying imported oil for Gulf Oil (Great Britain), Ltd. This arrived at the ports in various stages of refinement. He had been in some doubt as to whether the normal user covered this commodity and had consulted his solicitor.

Mr. G. C. Wesson, road transport Superintendent of the Esso Petroleum, Co., Ltd., supported the application and said that they could use the new tankers to carry heavy oils. After London, the North of England consumed more of their products than any other area. British Railways carried millions of tons of oil a year for them and this traffic would not suffer if the application was granted.

Mr. Coffey observed that the Esso Northern area covered a wide section of the country, and details were really needed concerning the North West and the Accrington district.

Evidence was also given by representatives of Lancashire Tar Distillers, Ltd.. Gulf Oil (Great Britain), Ltd., and Tar Residuals, Ltd.

Mr. Coffey submitted that there had been no real evidence of inconvenience, and during the peak times of the year short-term licences could be applied for if extra transport was necessary. There had been a blatant piece of illegal operation when the applicants had carried imported partially refined oil to the tune of £20,000. This did not have a coal base, and therefore was not covered by the normal user.

A30

Mr. Jolliffe granted the three new tankers but said that none of the vehicles was to carry fuel oil and this would not be specified in the normal user. After the knowledge of that fact that Gilbraith had been carrying this commodity for Gulf Oil, he decided that the three tankers must not begin operations until October 1, 1961.

Two more applications were put before the Authority by Henry Gilbraith, Ltd., an associated company of Gilbraith Tankers, Ltd. They were asking for an A licence for 32 vehicles of 1531 tons unladen weight with a normal user of: "solid fuel, building and road making materials, sand, salt, and sulphur: Lancashire. Cheshire and Midlands." Of the 32 units 25 were at present on B licence, one was on A licence, and six were to be acquired. In addition, one B-licensed vehicle was requested for maintenance purposes.

An alternative B-licence application was also put in for 33 vehicles, including the maintenance unit, with a normal user of: "solid fuel within 100 miles of base: building and road making materials.

sand, salt, and sulphur within 50 miles of base."

Mr. Backhouse asked that the A-licence application should be granted, and explained that it was the desire of the company to have a common normal user. Now the vehicles were divided into groups with different conditions, and it was difficult to know kb units were allowed to do what.

Six customer witnesses were present to support the application, which was adjourned until a date to be fixed by the Licensing Authority.


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