Can B.T.C. , Acquire .Clearing Houses ?
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CTION to settle the disputed status Pl.of clearing houses under the Transport Act wasforeshadowed by Mr. Harold Firth, chairman of the North Eastern Area of the National Conference of Road Transport Clearing Houses, at a meeting in Huddersfield, last week.
The dispute, Mr. Firth explained, was as to whether clearing houses were acquirable by the British Transport Commission. The joint liaison committee of the Conference and the Road Haulage Association held that the Act made clearing houses acquirable, but this interpretation was challenged in B.T:C. quarters.
To test the matter, arrangements would be made for ,certain .clearing houses to .take action .under the Transport Act's pro.vision that any. Person who considered his _business acquirable inust, if he had not received a notice of compulsory acquisition, apply to the B.T.C. by next January to be served with such a notice. This course,
Firth pointed out, would enable the matter to be taken to arbitration.
DECISION REVERSED ON BUFFET COACH
PROTESTS by Club Coaches, Ltd., against the Ministry of Transport's action in classifying an 18-seater luxury coach as a goods vehicle, merely because it was fitted with a built-in buffet, have caused the Ministry to reverse its decision. The vehicle it now to be licensed as a passenger vehicle.
This is an important decision, becatise it means that a coach, although it may be adapted to carry goods or burden to the extent of adding to the amenities of the passengers is not, on that account, to be classified as a goods vehicle, subject to the 20-m.p.h. speed limit and to the licensing system under the Road and Rail Traffic Act.
R.H.E. CONCESSION ON PR2A A s a result of discussion between the IA Road Haulage Association and the Road Haulage Executive, the R.H.E. has agreed not to adhere rigidly to the time limit of 14 days specified for the return of form PR2A by hauliers who have applied for original permits.
Members of the R.H.A. are being advised to consult' their area secretaries when in doubt as to the answers to be given to questions in the form, and, if necessary; . to apply direct to the divisional office of the R.H.E. for fur
ther. explanation. . • FARES UP IN COLCHESTER
APPROVAL of an application by Colchester of to increase by id, all those fares (except shortdistance ld. :fares). which were not increased in October last. year, was granted.: by the Eastern Licensing
Authority recently. •
It Was stated ''that the undertaking experienced a toss of £7,740 in the year, ended March 31; 1949. '' In October," 1948, return fares were raiSed from 2d. in 3ct. and Certain Id fares on journeys osier half a' Mile were increased to 11d.