LA accepts general argument
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• M. Allan {Carriers) Ltd., of Airth, Stirlingshire, attended a public inquiry in Edinburgh on Monday seeking continuation of its existing licences with variations and to answer charges of working outside its normal user.
This was a continuation of a hearing commenced on September 9, when Mr. A. B. Birnie, the Scottish LA, said it would appear that vehicles had been operating substantially outside their normal user and called for figures covering these operations.
An application had been made for a new B licence based at Kyle to work in the Isle of Skye, but this was withdrawn voluntarily at this week's hearing.
For the firm it was also proposed that it should withdraw a Glasgow licence which had
not been in Use, and concentrate its activities at Airth. The normal user was for: "General goods, mainly beer and whisky to the extent of 70 per cent in the North of Scotland".
In evidence it was shown that two vehicles which had operated on beer traffic between Alloa and the North of Scotland were no longer needed as the client had put his own transport on this work. On the other hand the distribution work for Schweppes from their East Kilbride depot had increased. It was admitted that an application for variation might well have been made a year ago in view of the changed situation. But in any event, it was claimed that the company had not exceeded its legitimate scope. A vehicle to the North of Scotland might be away for a week. The journeys to which objection had been taken were short-run local hauls, concerned often with collection from East Kilbride. Out of a total of 67 cited journeys, 40 had been elsewhere than the North of Scotland and this was admitted. But these were all local journeys largely concerned with the primary work which was to the North of Scotland and as such were within the permitted 30 per cent, in time, mileage or otherwise.
There was nothing to prevent the company from using another vehicle, it was said, if it was within their permitted normal user and if the authorized vehicle was not available.
Mr. Birnie said he would accept the general argument, and, in view of the submissions and the information made available, would give his decision in writing.