Exhaust Checks Welcome Up to a Point
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" WE welcome smoke checks—up to a VI' point," was how Mr. J. B. Mitchell, the National Chairman of the R.H.A., put the Association's view on proposals by the Minister to carry out roadside checks for exhaust smoke, when be spoke at the Yorkshire (West Riding) Area's annual dinner-dance at Ilkley last Friday. The problem had too many unknown factors and they could not be at ease in their minds that the action taken by the authorities would be just and equitable, he continued. For one thing, there was no satisfactory way to measure the volume of smoke emitted, which could mean that prosecution might frequently be taken on the opinion of an official who happened to get smoke in his eye.
A lot more research was needed. When a vehicle smoked, to what extent was this the fault of the fuel mechanism. the driver or the vehicle itself? It was this amount Of uncertainty which impaired enthusiasm for the proposal to have roadside checks, which could lead to discrimination.
What About Jack ?
THE Minister of Transport's delay in doing anything about financial aid for rural buses (something all the members of the Jack Committee agreed upon) was not only disappointing but difficult to understand. In the meantime the plight of rural services becomes worse. This is-stated in the annual report of the -council of the Public Transport Association. ft will be presented to the annual general meeting during the P.T.A. conference, at Harrogate, on May 16. Membership of the Association at the end of 1961 was 405. Two new members of the council. Mr. F. K. Pointon and Mr. H. Watson, are proposed to take the places of Mr. Stanley Dudman and Mr. H. Weedy, who are retiring as council members.