Cost of delays not challenged
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REFERRING to the statement that the cost of terminal delays in the West Midland Traffic. Area exceeded £10m. a year, published in a recent report of the Road Traffic Section of the Birmingham Chamber of Commerce, Mr. H. M. Lewis, chairman of the section, told members of the Road Haulage Association, West Midland Area, at the Area dinner-dance last week that no one had challenged this claim. Mr. Lewis said his committee would again review the situation within the next few months to ascertain whether there had been any improvements. This would be done by personal approach to selected providers and users of road transport. Applying a surcharge for delays over a certain period could not be approved.
After outlining various clauses of the Rome Treaty, Mr. Lewis asked How can we be sure that competition will start out healthy and remain healthy?" It was doubtful whether it would he possible to maintain the present licensing system, because vehicles from the Continent would be able to operate freely in this country. Referring to the proposed " bracket system" for rates (which would prescribe the minimum and maximum limits) Mr. Lewis said that it might he impossible for hauliers in this country to escape ,the ,necessity to carry a transport document showing the actual rate charged.